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THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 

OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 

GIFT  OF 


WIU.IAM     P.     WREDEN 


EIGHTY  PLEASANT   EVENINGS 


Eighty 
Pleasant    Evenings 


Compiled  by 
The  Press  Committee  of  Deems  Memorial  Chris- 
tian Endeavor  Society  of  Immanuel  Church 

Lilian  M.  Heath,  Chairman 
Florence  M.   Kingsley 
Belle  H.   Miller 
Ella  C.   Doremus 
Ella  A.    Boole,  A.M. 


United  Society   of  Christian  Endeavor 
Boston  and  Chicago 


Copyright,  i8g8, 
By  United  Society  of  Christian  Endeavor 


Colonial  Press : 
Electrolysed  and  Printed  by 
C.  H .  Simonds  &"  Co. 
Boston,  U.S.A. 


\ 


PREFACE. 


"  I  WONDER  why  she  did  it,"  said  the  flower,  reflec- 
tively. It  spoke  aloud  without  knowing  it.  The  gar- 
dener's daughter  heard  it  and  smiled,  for  she  knew  what 
the  flower  meant.  It  had  been  carefully  planted,  watered, 
and  cared  for,  but  had  somehow  forgotten  to  hold  up 
its  head  and  breathe  in  the  sunlight.  Instead,  it  had 
drooped  disconsolately,  because  its  petals  were  less 
brightly  colored  than  those  of  its  neighbors,  or  its  foli- 
age less  beautiful  than  that  of  others,  or  because  it  did 
not  occupy  the  centre  of  the  garden,  or  because  —  well, 
nobody  but  the  gardener  and  his  daughter  can  tell  just 
what  was  the  reason.  It  had  drooped,  and  after  a  while 
even  the  sunlight  appeared  to  have  forgotten  it.  A 
thicket  of  weeds  grew  up  around  it  and  almost  choked 
the  flower,  taking  a  malicious  delight  in  its  discourage- 
ment. Finally,  the  gardener's  daughter  remembered  it. 
She  went  to  it  and  cleared  away  the  weeds,  that  the  sun 
might  reach  it  once  more.  The  surprised  little  flower 
tried  to  thank  her,  but  only  succeeded  in  asking, 
"Why?"  How  could  she  think  it  worth  while?  it 
wondered. 

"  Do  you  want  to  know  why  ? "  whispered  the  gar- 
3 


682679 


4  PREFACE. 

dener's  daughter.  "  Because  flowers  are  God's  thoughts. 
I  wanted  to  help  you  to  grow  strong  and  beautiful  for 
him." 

And  the  flower  did  not  disappoint  her. 

Are  not  human  souls,  even  more  truly  than  flowers, 
"God's  thoughts"?  It  cannot  be  time  wasted  to  help 
them  grow ;  and  one  of  the  helps  is  the  sunshine  of 
intelligent  sympathy  and  cheery  companionship.  It  is 
not  for  the  young  alone,  not  for  the  cultured  and  fortu- 
nate alone.  Every  soul  that  ever  lived  needs  sunshine 
in  order  to  grow  into  the  bright  and  harmonious  life 
that  God  intended  for  it.  Then  only  can  it  reach  and 
bless  other  lives  with  a  like  helpfulness.  Farewell  to 
the  weeds  of  selfishaess  and  despondency ;  it  is  time 
for  the  sun  to  shine  in !  Many  workers  are  already 
clearing  the  way,  with  patient  and  loving  hands,  deem- 
ing the  work  not  less  sacred  in  its  way  than  that  of  the 
prayer  meeting.  We  ask  for  a  place  among  these,  that 
through  "  Eighty  Pleasant  Evenings  "  we  may  help,  in 
some  measure,  to  find  and  develop  "  God's  thoughts," 
which  are  too  often  struggling  for  existence  against 
many  obstacles.  We  would  help  them  to  be  free  once 
more,  and  to  "grow  strong  and  beautiful  —  for  him." 


To   Our  Friends  and  the  Public: 

The  compilers  wish  to  acknowledge,  with  sincere 
thanks,  the  aid  rendered  by  various  friends  in  the  prep- 
aration of  "  Eighty  Pleasant  Evenings."  While  half 
of  the  socials  were  devised  by  members  of  the  com- 
mittee, the  material  for  the  remaining  half  was  selected 
from  various  outside  sources.  Our  thanks  are  due,  for 
assistance  other  than  that  credited  elsewhere,  to  Mr.  A. 
M.  Harris,  Mr.  Knight  L.  Clapp,  Miss  Alice  Chadwick, 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  A.  R.  Heath,  Miss  Euphemia  P.  Gregory, 
Mr.  J.  Arthur  Funk,  Miss  Blanche  Cutler,  Miss  E. 
Louise  Doremus,  Mr.  A.  T.  Doremus,  Mrs.  Amelia  D. 
Alden,  Miss  Helen  S.  Daley,  and  The  Christian 
Endeavor   World. 

It  will  be  noticed  that  each  social  or  entertainment 
forms  a  complete  evening  in  itself,  that  there  are  no 
isolated  games  or  exercises.  Of  course,  this  fact  does 
not  debar  any  one  from  exchanging,  combining,  omit- 
ting, or  in  other  ways  altering  special  features  of  any 
evening  described.  Where  programmes  are  longer  than 
desired,  or  where  a  game  mentioned  in  a  different  social 
is  preferred,  the  change  can  be  readily  made,  adapting 
the  material  to  local  needs.  It  was  thought  better, 
therefore,  to  make  each  social  as  complete  as  possible, 
for  the  convenience  of  busy  workers  generally.     The 

5 


6  PREFATORY  NOTE. 

suggestions  are  for  the  most  part  tried  and  proved 
successes,  largely  so  tested  in  the  community  where 
compiled.  They  are  intended  for  Christian  Endeavor 
and  church  workers,  also  for  the  Young  Woman's 
Christian  Temperance  Union  and  similar  temperance 
societies ;  for,  if  there  is.  any  one  class  that  is  beginning 
more  than  others  to  realize  the  need  of  "  pleasant  even- 
ings," it  is  the  reformers.  The  Juniors  have  a  place; 
the  reading  circles,  the  good-literature,  press,  missionary, 
and  flower  committees  have  been  remembered ;  and  it 
is  hoped  that  this  Utile  work  will  find  a  general  wel- 
come, and  for  many  occasions  prove  useful. 

With  these  few  words  of  greeting,  acknowledgment, 
and  explanation,  we  would  invite  the  reading  of  what  is 
to  follow,  and  sign  ourselves,  in  the  cause  of  Christian 
sociability. 

The  Press  Committee 

of  Deems  Memorial  Christian  Endeavor 
Society  of  Immamicl  Church. 


ALPHABETICAL  INDEX. 


Accidental  Social 51 

Animal  Social          ........  52 

Authors,  Evening  with    .......  66 

Arctic  Exploring  Tour 1 1 1 

Barmecide  Banquet 13 

Bean  Social 21 

Belated  Picnic         ........  98 

Boston's  Most  Celebrated  Attraction,  Evening  with       .  21 

Boston  Suburb  Social     .......  96 

Building  Evening    ........  22 

Buttercup  Social     ........  35 

California  Shake  Social 32 

Celebrity  Social 51 

Ceres  Evening         . 57 

Characteristics,  Evening  of 62 

Chautauqua  Evening,  German-Roman  Year  .         .         .102 

Chautauqua  Lawn  Social,  P>ench-Greek  Year        .         .  86 
Chinese  Social         .         .         .         .         .         ,         .         .19 

Chinese  Social,  No.  2      .         .         .         .         .         .         -47 

Ching  Lee's  Unworthy  Compliments      ....  72 

Chocolataire 28 

Christian  Endeavor  World,  Evening  with       .         .         •  1 1 5 

Christmas  Social     . 74 

Chriotmas  Stocking  Party 43 

7 


8  ALPHABETICAL  INDEX. 

College  Social 32 

Colonial  Social 34 

Cotton  Social 45 

Crystal  Social          ........  25 

Cuban  Social            ........  68 

Dime  Social    .........  39 

Due  Tea          .........  91 

Dutch  Evening        ........  94 

Echo  Meeting          ........  76 

Eggs-ellent  Plan 75 

Evening  with  Animals 52 

Evening  mth  Authors 66 

Evening  with  Boston's  Most  Celebrated  Attraction         .  21 

Evening  with  Ceres         .......  57 

Evening  of  Characteristics      ......  62 

Evening  with  The  Christian  Endeavor  World         .         •  1 1 5 

Evening  with  the  Fairies 72 

Evening  ^\•ith  Father  Time 11 

Evening  with  Eugene  Field    ......  83 

Evening  with  Flora          .......  38 

Evening  in  Holland         .......  94 

Evening  vnih.  "  Jack  " 46 

Evening  with  Jack  o'  Dreams          .....  109 

Evening  with  Lincoln      .         .         .         .         .         .         -17 

Evening  with  Longfellow         ......  96 

Evening  with  Schiller      .......  107 

Evening  of  Short  Cuts    .         .         .         .         .         .         .110 

Evening  \\-ith  the  Trees 114 

Fairies,  Evening  with  the 72 

Father  Time,  Evening  with 11 

Festival  of  the  Trades 37 

Field,  Evening  with  Eugene  ......  83 

Flora,  Evening  with 38 


Flower  Social 


103 


Forest  Social ^4 


ALPHABETICAL  INDEX. 


Fragaria  Virginiana  Revel 

Gate  Social 

Grandmother  Gray's  Reception 

Hallowe'en  Entertainment 

Hidden  Musicale    . 

Hindoo  Social 

Holland,  Evening  in 

International  Social 

Italian  Social 

Jack  o'  Dreams 

"  Jack  "  Social 

King  Cotton's  Reception 

Klondike  Social 

Klondike  Social,  No.  2 

Labor  Social  . 

Lincoln  Evening 

Longfellow's  Dream 

Longfellow  Evening 

Longfellow  Guessing-Bee 

Marine  Social 

Midwinter  Excursion 

Missionary  Social 

Musicale,  Hidden 

New  Year's  Social 

Palm  Social     . 

Paper  Social    . 

Patriotic  Social 

Pearl  Social    . 

Picnic,  Belated 

Plantation  Social 

Poppy  Social  . 

Press  Social    . 

Press  Social,  No.  2 

Progressive  Social 

Proverb  Social 


9 

64 
48 
67 
48 
100 
27 
94 
30 
41 
109 
46 

45 
51 
90 

37 
17 
112 
96 
24 
83 
58 

95 
100 
II 
29 
18 
63 


45 
109 

15 
24 
76 
87 


lO  ALPHABETICAL  INDEX. 

Rose  Social 93 

Schiller,  Evening  with 107 

Short  Cuts,  Evening  of 1 10 

Snowball  Party 42 

Spinning  Social        ........  99 

Spring  Tour    .         ........  88 

State  Social     .........  87 

Strawberry  Social 64 

Temperance  Talking  Party 23 

Trade  Social 37 

Trees,  Evening  with  the 114 

Trio  Social 107 

Twisted  Social        ........  80 

Village  Improvement  Social  ......  56 

Washington's  Birthday  Social         .         .         .         .         .12 

Wheel  Social  .........  104 

Willard  Evening      .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .103 


EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS. 


A  New  Year's  Social* 

Two  persons,  perhaps  the  president  and  the  vice- 
president,  should  be  prepared  to  represent  Father  Time 
and  Lady  New  Year.  Father  Time's  costume  may  be 
a  long  dark  robe,  a  voluminous  snow-white  beard,  and  a 
wig  to  match.  Lady  New  Year  is  dressed  in  white 
Grecian  costume  with  gilt  or  silver  border  and  girdle, 
and  a  coronet  or  Grecian  bandeaux  in  the  hair. 

The  opening  speech,  by  Father  Time,  should  briefly 
review  the  chief  events  of  the  past  year,  and  introduce 
Lady  New  Year,  who  follows  with  a  prophecy  appro- 
priate to  the  hopes  and  plans  of  the  society  for  the 
coming  year,  and  then  introduces,  in  her  turn,  four 
other  speakers.  These  should  be  officers,  committee 
chairmen,  or  other  active  members  thoroughly  familiar 
with  the  society's  work.  Each  is  dressed  to  represent 
a  different  season  of  the  year,  and  speaks  for  five  min- 
utes on  "  The  Best  Season  for  Our  Society  to  Work, 
and  Why."  The  endeavor  of  each  speaker  is  to  prove 
his  own  season  the  most  fitting  for  active  work  by  the 
society,  showing  how  many  kinds  of  work  may  be  under- 
taken at  that  time,  etc. 

The  company  decide  by  vote  on  the  one  who  makes 
the  best  argument.  The  winner  is  then  presented,  by 
II 


12  EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS. 

Father  Time,  with  a  pretty  calendar  containing  artistic 
or  literary  suggestions  pertaining  to  the  interests  of  the 
church  or  society. 

This  may  be  varied  by  having  the  twelve  months 
instead  of  the  seasons.  The  dress  may  be  elaborate  in 
effect,  or  as  simple  as  usual,  with  only  a  sash  or  badge 
containing  the  name  of  the  month,  and  suitable  flowers, 
—  a  sprig  of  holly  for  December,  etc. 

Refreshments  may  be  cake  and  chocolate  with  white 
paper  napkins  on  which  are  printed  the  date  and  "  A 
Happy  New  Year."  Close  with  a  New  Year's  chorus, 
in  which  all  can  join.  L.  M.  H. 

A  Washington's  Birthday  Social. 

Invitations  are  worded  in  the  usual  form,  with  the 
word  "  Costume  "  in  the  lower  left-hand  corner.  These 
costumes  may  be  simple  or  elaborate,  the  essential 
points  being  powdered  hair  for  all,  kerchiefs,  and  black 
court-plaster  patches  for  the  ladies,  and  for  the  gentle- 
men long  hose,  knee-breeches,  buckled  slippers,  and 
lace  ruffles  in  coat-sleeves.  Hanging  in  a  conspicuous 
place  should  be  a  life-size  portrait  of  George  Washing- 
ton, framed  in  evergreen  or  in  red,  white,  and  blue- 
Flags  and  draperies  of  bunting  may  be  added  as  deco- 
rations, wherever  desired.  Pin  the  name  of  some  famous 
Revolutionary  character  to  the  back  of  each  guest,  and 
require  him  to  guess  his  own  identity  by  means  of 
conversational  hints  from  various  sources. 

Sheets  of  paper,  with  dainty  pencils  attached  by 
means  of  narrow  parti-colored  ribbon,  should  be  pre- 
viously prepared.      The  first  page  may  be  decorated 


EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS.  1 3 

with  a  flag  and  a  patriotic  motto.  On  the  inner  pages 
are  eight  or  ten  questions  or  topics  for  conversation, 
each  numbered,  with  a  space  below  it  for  the  name  of 
a  partner.  Each  guest  engages,  or  is  engaged  by,  a 
different  partner  for  each  topic.  When  arranged,  all 
converse  five  minutes  on  each  topic,  beginning,  ending, 
and  changing  partners  and  topics  at  the  tap  of  a  bell. 

Peanut-shells  may  be  provided,  split  and  tied  with 
narrow  ribbon,  and  containing  slips  of  paper  on  each  of 
which  is  written  half  of  the  name  of  a  State.  These 
are  passed  and  matched  to  find  partners  for  refresh- 
ments. Just  before  serving  the  cake,  coffee,  and  ice- 
cream, a  march  should  be  introduced ;  and  the  evening 
may  close  appropriately  with  the  singing  of  patriotic 
songs. 

A  Barmecide  Banquet. 

The  following  plan  has  been  successfully  tested. 

Send  out  combined  invitations  and  programmes, 
written  on  the  first  and  third,  or  the  two  inside,  pages 
of  ordinary  note-paper.     The  invitations  read  :  — 

Dear  Friend: 

'T  would  be  downright  treason 
To  open  the  holiday  season 
By  failing  to  share, 
Be  it  stormy  or  fair, 
In  our  feast  of  fun  and  reason 
At 
the  residence 
of 

Miss 

■ Evening, ,  189 — . 


14  EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS. 

The  programme  page  may  be  as  follows  :  — 
MENU. 

Consomme  a  la  Galop. 

Pressed  Tongue.     Saratoga  Chips. 

Roast  Turkey. 

Yosemite  Sauce. 

Game. 

Plum  Pudding 

or 

Jack  Homer's  Pie. 

Scotch  Marmalade. 

We  give  the  interpretation. 

First  course:  "  Consommd  a  la  Galop,"  a  lively  piano 
selection. 

Second  course :  "  Pressed  Tongue,"  the  reading  of 
several  short  extracts  from  current  literature ;  or  a 
bright  talk  from  some  one  not  a  member  of  the 
society,  thus  "  pressed "  into  service,  might  be  sub- 
stituted ;  "  Roast  Turkey,"  a  paper  or  debate  on  the 
Eastern  situation  at  the  close  of  the  war  between 
Turkey  and  Greece ;  "  Yosemite  Sauce,"  a  reading 
from  Gunnison's  "  Rambles  Overland,"  giving  his 
delightful  description  of  the  Yosemite ;  "  Saratoga 
Chips,"  selected  readings  from  Josiah  Allen's  Wife's 
"  Samantha  at  Saratoga  ;  "  and  "  Game,"  which  might 
be  any  general  exercise  preferred,  but  was,  in  the 
instance  referred  to,  the  game  of  "  Book  Reviewing  " 
described  in  "  Press   Social  No.  2." 


EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS.  1 5 

Third  course,  "  Plum  Pudding,  or  Jack  Horner's  Pie," 
consists  of  a  handful  of  pop-corn  for  each  guest,  placed 
in  a  violet-colored  napkin  with  pansy  border,  a  slip  of 
paper  inserted  containing  a  written  quotation,  and  the 
whole  gathered  up  and  tied  with  a  narrow  pink,  red,  or 
yellow  ribbon.  These  present  a  remarkably  pretty 
appearance  when  passed.  Any  delicate  color  will 
answer  for  the  napkins,  but  the  pansies  are  desirable 
as  suggestive  of  thoughts.  The  guests  are  instructed 
to  untie  the  napkins  and  follow  Jack  Horner's  example, 
the  "  plums  "  being  the  quotations,  which  are  read  aloud 
during  the  eating  of  the  pop-corn,  and  should  be  of  a 
witty  or  humorous  character. 

The  last  course,  "  Scotch  Marmalade,"  is  the  singing 
of  a  Scotch  song,  and  a  reading  from  "  Ian  Maclaren," 
Barrie,  Macdonald,  or  some  other  popular  Scotch  dia- 
lect writer.  A  verse  of  "  Auld  Lang  Syne "  is  an 
appropriate    close.  L.  M.  H. 

A  Press  SociaL 

This  is  partly  original  and  partly  suggested  by  The 
Golden  Rule. 

Edit  an  oral  newspaper,  with  your  president  or  some 
ready  speaker  in  charge  as  editor-in-chief,  to  explain 
and  conduct  matters.  For  the  editorial  page,  have 
several  four-minute  papers  or  addresses,  from  the  pas- 
tor and  other  "  contributing  editors,"  on  topics  of 
general  or  current  interest.  The  page  in  charge  of  the 
"  news  editor  "  should  consist  of  selected  clippings  and 
written  items,  either  local  or  of  wider  range,  concerning 
the  work  of  the  organization. 


l6  EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS. 

A  department  of  "  Personals  "  is  amusing,  if  planned 
long  in  advance.  It  consists  of  head-lines  and  short 
but  thrilling  incidents  clipped  from  newspapers,  regard- 
ing people  whose  names  chance  to  be  the  same  as  those 
of  certain  members  of  your  society.  Collected  and 
pasted  on  a  card  or  sheet  of  paper,  they  can  be  read 
by  the  editor  of  the  department,  and  afterwards  passed 
around,  to  satisfy  any  who  may  suspect  him  of 
improvising. 

For  your  literary  page  have  one  good  short  story, 
original  if  possible,  written  in  advance  by  your  best 
home  talent ;  or,  failing  this,  read  a  selected  one. 
Impromptu  attempts  at  its  pictorial  illustration  follow. 
For  the  best  sketch  thus  made,  an  illustrated  book,  such 
as  "  A  Daily  Message  for  Christian  Endeavorers,"  was 
once  given ;  and  to  the  least  successful  artist,  a  porous 
plaster,  warranted  to  draw. 

For  your  advertising  columns,  prepare  in  advance  a 
list  of  familiar  modern  advertisements,  retaining  the 
phraseology,  but  substituting  the  name  or  initials  of 
your  organization  for  the  thing  advertised  ;  as,  "  Life  is 
a  constant  battle,  made  easier  by  using  C.  E."  Appro- 
priate literature  may  be  displayed  on  a  table ;  the 
foreign  and  curiously  printed  newspapers  predominating. 

Serve  "  pressed  refreshments,"  consisting  of  lemonade 
(pressed  lemons)  and  pressed  chicken  sandwiches,  to 
which  may  be  added  ice-cream  pressed  into  bricks. 
Auction  off  some  articles,  like  a  pressed  meat  loaf, 
compressed  yeast  cakes,  etc.,  toward  the  close  of  the 
evening. 

A  suitably  "  pressing "  form  of  invitation  to  this 
social  would  be  as  follows :  — 


EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS.  I  7 

Dear  Friend;     The    Press   and    Social    Committees   of 
Society  express  cordial  greeting,  and  wish  to  impress 


upon  your  mind  the  fact  that  you  are  invited  to  a  Press 
Social  on  Friday  evening,  April  i ,  at  the  home  of  the  chair- 
man of  the  Press  Committee.  We  shall  not  attempt  to 
repress  our  pleasure  at  seeing  you,  and  you  will  receive  a 
hearty  press  of  the  hand.  Do  not  depress  us  by  allowing 
pressure  of  business  to  prevent  you  from  being  present,  but 
come  and  help  us  to  have  an  evening  of  compressed  enjoy- 
ment. You  will  find  us,  as  ever,  irrepressible. 
Expressively  yours, 

Press  and  Social  Committees. 
N.  B.     Pressed  refreshments  will  be  served. 


A  Lincoln  Evening. 

This  should  be  made  a  good-citizenship  social.  Dec- 
orate with  red,  white,  and  blue  draperies,  and  have  a 
statuette  or  bust  of  Lincoln  in  a  conspicuous  place,  with 
a  background  of  evergreen  shaped  like  a  shield.  The 
following  programme  may  be  rendered. 

Music. 

Paper.     "  Lincoln's  Boyhood  and  Youth." 

Paper  or  Address.     "  Lincoln  as  a  Citizen." 

Reading.     "  Incidents  of  Lincoln's  Life  as  President." 

Music. 

Reading.     Extract    from    Lincoln's    Speech,    No.    30    in 

"  Platform  Pearls  "  (published  by  the  Funk  &  Wagnalls 

Company,  New  York  City). 
Address  by  the  Pastor.     "  Secrets  of  Lincoln's  Success." 
Music. 

Small  paper  flags,  colored  with  the  stars  and  stripes 
on  one  side,  and  white  on  the  other,  may  have  written  on 


1 8  EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS. 

the  white  side  a  "  good-citizenship  "  conversation  topic  ; 
as,  for  instance,  "  What  would  be  Lincohi's  attitude 
toward  the  liquor  traffic  of  to-day  ?  "  "  The  modern 
slave,"  "Is  patriotic  citizenship  declining?"  "  The  sa- 
loon, the  church,  and  the  ballot-box,"  "  How  to  cultivate 
patriotism,"  "  Analogy  between  war  with  Spain  and  war 
with  the  saloon,"  "Is  America  free?"  etc.  There 
should  be  four  flags  in  each  set,  worded  alike.  Dis- 
tribute the  flags,  and  let  each  group  of  four  find  one  an- 
other and  discuss  for  ten  minutes  the  topic  falling  to 
them.     During  this  time  refreshments  may  be  served. 

Close  the  evening  with  familiar  patriotic  songs,  inter- 
spersed with  a  few  selections  from  "  Silver  Tones,"  the 
"  Clarion  Call,"  or  some  similar  selection  of  stirring 
temperance  music.  L.  M.  h. 

A  Paper  Social. 

Let  some  one  describe  the  Japanese,  dwellings, 
etc.,  made  of  paper.  A  talk  of  this  kind  can  be 
appropriately  aided  with  stereopticon  or  other  views. 
Tissue-paper  decorations  are  in  order,  including  lamp- 
shades, flowers,  and  ribbons  of  the  same  material.  In 
one  of  the  parlors  candles  may  be  used  as  lights,  and 
everything  may  be  violet  in  color,  including  the  tissue- 
paper  frill  decorating  each  candle  where  it  is  inserted  in 
the  holder.  In  the  main  room  should  be  a  literature 
table,  also  tables  containing  paper  and  papier-machd 
articles  for  sale. 

If  desired,  the  idea  may  extend  to  the  costumes,  each 
lady  on  the  committee  wearing  a  tissue-paper  dress  ;  and 
for  one  of  the  games,  fancy  tissue-paper  caps  of  odd 


EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS.  1 9 

shapes  may  be  provided  and  hidden  in  various  out-of- 
the-way  corners,  preferably  in  the  "  violet  room,"  where 
the  light  is  a  little  subdued.  Toward  the  close,  have  a 
hunt  for  the  invisible  caps,  which  are  then  worn  by  the 
finders  for  the  rest  of  the  evening. 

The  game,  or  puzzle,  of  "  missionary  and  cannibal  " 
will  interest  some.  Six  slips  of  paper  are  prepared, 
three  of  them  longer  than  the  others.  The  longer  three 
are  called  missionaries ;  the  others,  cannibals.  The  aim 
is  to  so  place  the  slips,  two  at  a  time,  that  one  missionary 
shall  escort  his  five  fellow  travellers  successively  across 
an  imaginary  river,  in  a  boat  that  holds  but  one  besides 
himself,  without  leaving  the  cannibals  in  the  majority  on 
either  side.  If  successful,  the  missionaries  are  said  to 
have  converted  the  cannibals.  If  otherwise,  the  canni- 
bals will  devour  the  missionaries. 

Serve  confectionery  in  tissue-paper  boats  ;  or  if  more 
substantial  lunch  be  chosen,  serve  it  on  papier-machd 
plates,  with  paper  napkins  folded  in  fancy  shapes. 

L.    M.    H. 

A  Chinese  Social. 

Chinese  lanterns  are  the  only  decorations.  A  table 
may  contain  Chinese  curios,  including  specimens  of 
Chinese  art  and  literature.  Photographs  of  missiona- 
ries in  China  may  be  added,  and  after  an  introductory 
speech  by  the  chairman,  each  member  of  the  committee 
may  re^d  a  letter  from  one  of  these  missionaries,  if  ob- 
tainable, or  an  extract  from  some  published  description 
of  their  travels  and  work.  Better  still,  have  an  address 
from  a  returned  missionary  who  has  been  prevailed 
upon  to  be  present. 


20  EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS. 

Sliced  cards  with  narrow  yellow  ribbons  tied  in  one 
corner  may  contain  Chinese  characters  to  be  fitted  to- 
gether with  the  aid,  if  possible,  of  a  student  of  the 
language.  Rice  and  tea  should  be  the  only  refresh- 
ments, and  those  who  wish  may  try  the  experiment  of 
eating  the  rice  in  true  Chinese  fashion,  with  chopsticks. 

Two  Juniors  may  play  the  piano  duet  "  Chopsticks." 
A  collection  should  be  taken,  or  a  sale  of  pincushions 
made  of  Chinese  dolls  could  be  held  instead,  with  the 
proceeds  to  be  devoted  to  the  aid  of  Chinese  missiona- 
ries ;  and,  if  desired,  a  contest  of  answers  to  questions  on 
China  may  be  conducted,  the  winner  to  be  presented 
with  a  cup  and  saucer  or  other  dainty  piece  of  china,  as 
a  reward. 

A  Pearl  Social. 

Provide  pearl-tinted  cards,  and  write  on  each  a  choice 
Scripture  or  other  quotation  suggestive  of  temperance 
reform  and  related  topics.  As  an  example,  take  Frances 
E,  Willard's  saying,  "  The  golden  rule  of  Christ  will 
bring  the  golden  age  of  man."  Cut  each  card  in  two 
diagonally,  distribute  them,  and  let  the  people  find  their 
partners  accordingly.  Then  have  this  "  string  of  pearls," 
as  they  may  be  called,  read  aloud,  after  allowing  five 
minutes  for  conversation  on  the  subjects  which  they  will 
suggest.  One  or  two  musical  selections  can  be  here  in- 
serted. Two  recitations  from  "  Platform  Pearls  "  follow. 
A  short  talk,  if  obtainable,  from  some  one  who  knows 
all  about  pearls  and  diving,  will  be  entertaining,  and 
should  lead  to  questions  and  general  discussion  of  the 
subject.     If  a  diver's  suit,  etc.,  can  be  exhibited  in  this 


EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS.  2  1 

connection,  it  will  add  to  the  interest.  A  good  magazine 
article  treating  of  pearl-divers  and  their  work  may  be 
substituted  if  there  is  no  one  sufficiently  posted  to  speak 
extemporaneously  on  the  subject. 

The  last  part  of  the  programme,  after  another  musical 
selection,  may  be  an  address  by  the  pastor  or  president 
of  the  society,  on  "  the  pearl  of  great  price,"  in  which  it 
will  be  easy  to  introduce  thoughts  on  the  formation  of 
pearls  of  character  through  the  irritation  of  trials  and 
afflictions,  etc. 

The  refreshments  may  be  principally  oysters ;  for 
these,  if  served  in  various  styles,  a  charge  should  be 
made.  L.  M.  H. 


An  Evening  with  Boston's  Most  Celebrated  Attraction. 

That  is  what  it  is  called  in  the  invitations.  If  it 
proves  to  be  a  "  bean  social,"  who  can  find  fault  ?  Begin 
with  a  piano  or  violin  solo,  followed  by  a  short  address 
on  the  subject  of  the  festive  bean.  There  may  be  a 
reading,  preferably  the  chapter,  somewhat  abridged,  on 
"  A  Fifty-Mile  Walk "  in  Gunnison's  "  Rambles  Over- 
land," as  this  combines  fine  literary  style,  good  descrip- 
tions of  scenery,  and  beans.  "  The  Modern  Jack  and 
the  Beanstalk"  may  be  the  subject  of  a  paper  comparing 
in  detail  the  adventures  of  the  well-known  hero  with 
those  of  the  modern  and  equally  aspiring  struggler  for 
fame,  fortune,  or,  better  still,  success  in  some  line  of 
missionary  or  temperance  work.  This  may  be  followed 
by  the  game  "Jack  and  the  beans  talk."  The  leader, 
Jack,  asks  a  question  of  each  person  in  the  room.  The 
reply  must  be  neither  "  Yes  "  nor  "  No,"  and  must  begin 


22  EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS. 

with  some  letter  contained  in  the  word  "  bean."  Any 
player  failing  to  answer  promptly  must  take  the  place  of 
the  questioner. 

Place  a  handful  of  beans  in  a  small  jar  or  bottle,  and 
let  every  one  guess  as  to  the  number. 

Have  six  or  more  different  colored  bean-bags  pre- 
pared, and  try  several  forms  of  that  game ;  passing  the 
bags  rapidly  from  hand  to  hand,  throwing  them  to  per- 
sons across  the  room,  or  aiming  at  an  open  box  or  an 
opening  in  an  inclined  plank,  with  a  certain  number  of 
throws  and  some  one  to  keep  tally.  A  suitable  reward 
for  the  observing  eye  and  accurate  aim  in  these  games 
would  be  a  holder,  embroidered  on  one  side  with  a  spray 
of  the  flowering  bean,  and  on  the  other  with  the  words 
"  Bean-Porridge  Hot." 

For  refreshments  serve  Boston  baked  beans,  brown 
bread  and  butter,  and  coffee.  There  might  be  a  sale  of 
baked  beans  in  cans.  L.  m.  h. 

A  Building  Evening. 

Begin  with  instrumental  music,  followed  by  a  paper, 
talk,  or  reading  on  some  interesting  phase  of  architecture, 
ancient  or  modern.  Pictures  of  famous  buildings  may 
be  displayed  on  walls  or  tables,  and  the  literature  com- 
mittee may  conduct  the  company  on  an  imaginary  tour 
to  visit  some  of  the  most  remarkable  of  them.  Holmes's 
"  Chambered  Nautilus,"  Longfellow's  "  Building  of  the 
Ship,"  or  some  other  "  building  poem  "  may  be  sliced  or 
dissected  and  the  fragments  passed  for  those  present  to 
arrange  in  proper  sequence,  comparing  notes  and  finding 
seats  accordingly.  The  poem  may  then  be  read  by  a 
member  of  the  committee. 


EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS.  23 

Another  game  which  may  either  follow  or  precede 
the  "  dissected  poem  "  is  the  "  tower  of  excuses."  The 
leader  relates  his  imaginary  experiences  in  building  a 
tower,  first  having  assigned  to  the  other  players  the 
parts  of  mason,  carpenter,  glazier,  plumber,  electrician, 
etc.  When  he  tells  how  each  workman  failed  to  fulfil 
his  contract,  the  player  alluded  to  must  interrupt  the 
story  with  an  instant  excuse  before  the  next  workman  is 
mentioned.  Those  who  fail  thus  to  give  an  excuse  may 
be  sentenced,  according  to  the  discretion  of  the  judge, 
to  a  fine  or  imprisonment  with  hard  labor,  or  both.  In 
other  words,  they  must  pay  a  forfeit,  consisting  either  of 
a  small  contribution  to  your  church-building  fund,  or  of 
banishment  to  an  adjoining  room  until  they  shall  have 
succeeded  in  building  a  tower  of  some  kind.  The 
tower  may  be  built  of  anything  at  hand,  such  as  books, 
hats,  umbrellas,  chairs,  newspapers,  etc. 

Serve  refreshments  of  layer  cake,  and  ice-cream  in 
bricks ;  and  close  the  evening  with  two  or  three  vocal 
selections.  Two  especially  good  ones  would  be  "  I 
Built  a  Bridge  of  Fancies,"  and  "  Building  for  Eter- 
nity." L.  M.  H. 

A  Temperance  Talking  Party.' 

Appoint  a  committee  to  give  each  member  questions 
on  our  reasons  for  being  total  abstainers,  the  questions 
bringing  out  the  effects  of  alcohol  on  the  body,  mind, 
character,  and  the  nation ;  the  information  to  be  given 
in  conversation,  and  the  one  not  bringing  in  her  or  his 

'  The  description  of  this  social  was  kindly  furnished  by  Miss  Margaret 
Tyler,  the  assistant  secretary  of  the  Massachusetts  Young  Woman's  Branch 
of  the  Woman's  Christian  Temperance  Union. 


24  EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS. 

answers  in  the  conversation  to  pay  a  forfeit,  tlie  com- 
mittee keeping  record.  The  conversation  may  be  for 
half  an  hour. 

Music.     "  The  Fruit  of  the  Vine,"  Y  Song  Book. 

Paper.  "  What  is  the  next  step  in  Anti-Saloon  Warfare  ? " 
Five  minutes. 

Singing.     "  Only  a  Glass,"  Y  Song  Book. 

Paper.  "  Neal  Dow's  Chief  Characteristics."  Ten  minutes. 
Or  "  The  Young  Woman's  Christian  Temperance  Union 
as  an  Eye-Opener." 

A  Longfellow  Guessing-Bee.' 

Each  member  is  provided  with  a  neat  little  card  and 
pencil,  and  twelve  selections  are  read  from  Longfellow's 
poems  by  one  of  the  members.  The  others  are  to  guess 
from  which  poem  they  were  taken,  and  write  down  their 
guesses  on  the  card.  The  one  guessing  the  greatest 
number  correctly  is  allowed  as  a  reward  to  choose  her 
favorite  of  Longfellow's  poems,  which  is  then  read 
entire  by  one  of  the  members. 

Press  Social,  No.  2» 

This  is  a  variation,  in  several  respects,  from  the  other 
press  social  suggested.  In  fact,  the  "  newspaper  "  may 
be  entirely  omitted  from  the  exercise,  leaving  no  resem- 
blance whatever.  Instead  of  the  literature  table,  have 
a  table  containing  a  collection  of  photographs  or  other 
pictures  —  those  cut  from  magazines  or  papers  will  an- 

1  The  descriprion  of  this  social  was  kindly  furnished  by  Miss  Margaret 
Tyler,  the  assistant  secretary  of  the  Massachusetts  Young  Woman's  Branch 
of  the  Woman's  Christian  Temperance  Union. 


EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS.  25 

ewer  —  of  well-known  editors.  Number  these  pictures, 
distribute  blank  cards  with  corresponding  numbers,  and 
have  a  guessing  contest.  The  one  who  correctly  fills  in 
the  greatest  number  of  editors'  names,  with  correspond- 
ing names  of  the  journals  edited,  receives,  in  reward,  a 
book,  a  photograph-case,  or  a  collection  of  photographs. 

Play  the  game  of  "  Book  Reviewing,"  as  follows : 
Each  person  writes  the  name  of  a  book,  folds  the 
paper  over  to  conceal  what  is  written,  and  passes  it  to 
his  neighbor,  who  writes  the  name  of  an  author,  in  turn 
folding  and  passing  it.  The  third  writes  one  or  more 
"  opinions  of  the  press,"  or,  in  other  words,  reviews  the 
book,  of  course  without  knowing  what  it  is.  Engage 
the  entire  company  thus,  and  the  results,  when  read 
aloud,  are  sure  to  be  amusing. 

Arrange  to  have  platform  scales  present,  and  invite 
every  one  to  come  and  "  press  "  them  down,  or  to  be 
weighed,  at  a  tax  of  one  cent  for  each  ten  pounds.  The 
refreshments  are  pressed  pop-corn  balls  and  lemonade. 
Elaborate  decorations  may  be  introduced,  but  should  be 
entirely  of  newspapers,  festooned,  draped,  fringed, 
wound,  strung,  made  into  flowers  or  rosettes ;  and  most 
effective  of  all,  the  press  committee  may  wear  costumes 
made  of  the  same  material.  Music  may  be  interspersed 
with  the  exercises,  and  the  chairman  of  the  press  com- 
mittee should  make  a  brief  speech  at  some  time  during 
the  evening,  explaining  the  purpose  and  progress  of  the 
society's  press  work. 

A  Crystal  Social. 

White,  pink,  or  violet  tissue-paper  decorations,  with 
all  the  glass  vases  and  other  glass  ornaments  available, 


26  EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS. 

create  a  pretty  effect,  and  there  should  be  a  fancifully 
draped  mirror,  and  a  table  of  curios  displaying  special 
triumphs  of  the  glass-blower's  art.  The  following  pro- 
gramme is  suggested :  — 

1.  Music.     From    violin,  piano,  or,  if   possible,    "musical 
glasses." 

2.  History  of  glass-making. 

3.  Descriptive  paper  or  reading.     "The  Crystal  Palace." 

4.  Scenes  from    "Cinderella."     ( Tableaux  or  shadow  pan- 
tomime, with  music.) 

5.  Recitation.     "  Pledge  with  Wine,"  or  other  temperance 
selection  alluding  to  the  wine-glass. 

6.  Sijtging.     "Only  a  Glass,"  from  the  Y  Song  Book. 

7.  Address    by  pastor    or   president.     "  Living    in    Glass 
Houses." 

This  may  be  either  followed  or  preceded  by  a  micro- 
scope exhibition,  a  mirror  "  observation  test,"  and  a 
rhyming  contest.  The  microscope  is  interesting  to 
many  not  familiar  with  study  of  the  sciences.  A  pro- 
fessor or  advanced  student  should  select  the  specimens 
to  be  examined,  and  give  a  little  explanation  of  each. 
The  mirror  test  is  conducted  as  follows :  Each  person 
is  led  in  turn  up  to  the  mirror,  and  is  given  ten  seconds 
to  observe  all  that  he  can  by  looking  therein.  He  is 
then  led  away,  and  writes  on  a  card  the  list  of  articles 
seen.  The  one  whose  card  shows  the  most  numerous 
observations,  receives  by  way  of  reward  some  pretty 
trifle  in  glassware,  while  the  least  observing  may  be 
presented  with  a  pair  of  paper  spectacles.  The  rhym- 
ing contest  gives  the  honors  to  the  one  who  succeeds  in 
writing  the  best  original  verse  of  not  less  than  eight 
lines,  the  alternate  lines  rhyming  with  "glass." 


EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS.  2/ 

Lemonade,  wafers,  and  delicate  custards,  ices,  or 
lemon  jelly,  served  in  glass  dishes,  form  the  refresh- 
ments, A  collection  may  be  taken  in  a  glass  bowl  or 
plate,  or  there  may  be  a  sale  of  useful  and  pretty  glass 
articles.  l.  m.  h. 

A  Hindoo  Social. 

Devote  the  first  half-hour  to  introductions,  conversa- 
tion, and  examination  of  the  curios  and  carefully  labelled 
photographs  from  India,  Introduce,  under  a  Hindoo 
name,  a  member  of  the  society  dressed  to  represent  a 
high-caste  Hindoo  lady.  Her  conversation,  with  its 
assumed  foreign  accent  and  broken  English,  should 
carry  out  the  illusion.  Each  member  of  the  missionary 
committee  may  read,  as  in  the  Chinese  social,  some  let- 
ter or  extract  of  interest  from  the  field  of  mission  work 
in  India,  One  or  two  musical  selections,  vocal  or  instru- 
mental, may  be  inserted  to  add  variet}^  Have  a  map- 
drawing  contest,  each  guest  being  required  to  draw  from 
memory  a  map  of  India.  The  most  successful  is  pre- 
sented with  some  pretty  souvenir ;  and  the  least  success- 
ful, with  an  ordinary  india-rubber  eraser. 

Serve  rice  with  curry  sauce,  and  tea,  as  the  only  re- 
freshments. Flowers  may  be  used  as  decorations,  and 
potted  plants  of  a  tropical  appearance  are  especially 
suitable.  At  a  social  of  this  kind  once  held,  an  auction 
sale  was  introduced,  where  the  auctioneer  solemnly 
assured  his  prospective  customers  that  the  layer  cake 
which  he  was  offering  them  was  undoubtedly  supplied 
with"  filling  of  india-rubber.  It  sold,  nevertheless,  at  a 
good  price. 


28  EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS. 

A  "Chocolatairc.^ 

In  this  social  the  decorations  are  all  of  a  purple  or 
violet  hue  —  flowers,  paper  napkins,  ribbon  bows  on  the 
waitresses'  caps  and  aprons,  etc.  The  lights  are  from 
candles  in  silver  candlesticks  decorated  with  violet  tissue- 
paper  frills.  Two  or  three  of  the  ladies  act  as  host- 
esses and  pour  the  chocolate,  while  five  or  six  girls  or 
young  ladies  are  waitresses.  The  first  hour  is  spent  in 
conversation,  and  in  listening  to  as  fine  a  musical  pro- 
gramme, both  vocal  and  instrumental,  as  can  be 
arranged,  including  not  only  the  best  musical  talent  from 
within  the  society,  but  some  from  outside.  Then  serve 
the  refreshments,  which  are  chocolate  with  whipped 
cream,  chocolate  layer  cake  or  other  cake  with  choco- 
late icing,  and  candies.  Charge  twenty-five  cents  for  the 
refreshments  complete,  or  fifteen  cents  for  the  chocolate 
and  cream  alone ;  and  give  a  small  cup  and  saucer  as  a 
souvenir  to  each  guest  purchasing  chocolate.  After  all 
have  been  served,  have  an  auction  sale  of  the  remaining 
candy,  loaves  of  cake,  and  boxes  or  cakes  of  chocolate 
from  which  the  delectable  food  and  drink  were  prepared. 

Invitations  sent  out  in  advance  should  mention  the 
souvenir  cup  and  saucer  given  to  each  guest  purchasing 
refreshments.  If  thought  desirable,  the  best  parts  of 
the  musical  programme  may  be  reserved  for  the  closing 
features  of  the  evening,  announcements  being  made 
accordingly. 


EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS.  29 

A  Palm  Social. 

This  is  a  warm-weather  social.  Decorate  with  potted 
palms  and  have  a  generous  supply  of  palm-leaf  fans. 
If  any  of  the  committee  wear  silk  waists  or  cotton 
dresses  with  a  palm-leaf  figured  effect,  so  much  the 
better. 

An  essay,  story,  chalk-talk,  or  stereopticon  address  on 
"  A  Journey  in  the  Land  of  the  Palm  Trees "  can  be 
made  entertaining,  but  should  not  be  very  long.  In 
connection  with  this,  pictures  of  the  cocoanut-palm 
especially  may  be  shown.  Then  the  guests  are  con- 
ducted, in  groups  of  a  few  at  a  time,  into  a  room  a 
little  darkened,  where  a  member  of  the  society,  disguised 
in  gypsy  costume,  tells  the  fortune  of  each  in  turn,  at  a 
charge  of  five  cents,  or  whatever  they  please  to  give. 
The  "  fortunes "  are  told  from  the  lines  on  the  palm  of 
the  hand,  and  should  foretell  marvellous  achievements 
in  the  direction  of  work  for  the  society,  combined  with 
humorous  adventures  and  catastrophes,  all  adapted  to  the 
known  tendencies,  talents,  and  habits  of  the  individual. 

These  "  fortunes,"  if  conducted  by  a  bright,  ready 
talker,  possessed  of  tact  as  well  as  wit,  will  furnish 
material  enough  for  conversation  and  merriment  among 
the  main  body  of  the  guests  as  fast  as  the  successive 
groups  return  and  new  ones  take  their  places.  A  gypsy 
song,  such  as  "  Esmeralda,"  may  be  rendered  as  a  solo, 
either  before  or  after  the  gypsy's  reign ;  or  it  can  be  in- 
serted during  the  waiting  period  before  the  first  group 
returns,  if  the  rooms  are  somewhat  separated  as  to  the 
penetration  of  sound.  Serve  ice-cream,  cocoanut  cake, 
and  iced  lemonade  for  refreshments.  L.  m.  h. 


30  EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS. 

An  Intenutional  Social. 

Collect  a  dozen  or  more  pictures  representing  noted 
buildings  or  characteristic  scenery  of  as  many  different 
countries.  Number,  but  do  not  label,  them.  Arrange 
them  about  the  room,  on  walls,  mantels,  etc.,  and  provide 
each  guest  with  a  programme,  pencil,  and  a  card,  num- 
bered to  correspond  with  the  pictures,  each  card  contain- 
ing all  the  numbers.  Require  them  to  guess  from  what 
nation  each  scene  is  taken,  and  write  their  guesses 
opposite  the  list  of  numbers  on  the  cards. 

At  the  close  of  a  half-hour,  collect  the  cards ;  and, 
while  they  are  being  examined  by  the  committee,  have 
the  musical  part  of  the  programme.  This  should  consist 
entirely  of  national  airs,  played  as  a  medley,  or  singly 
with  variations ;  or  they  may  be  sung  by  ladies  or  girls 
dressed  in  appropriate  costume.  Germany,  France,  Italy, 
England,  Ireland,  Scotland,  and  America  would  all  be 
capable  of  bright  representation  in  song  and  dress. 
"  Hidden  Nations,"  or,  as  The  Voice  gives  it,  "  A  Tour 
of  Nations,"  may  be  introduced.  We  give  with  one 
variation  the  list  published  in  that  paper,  from  which  the 
idea  will  be  readily  taken.  The  game  may  be  conducted 
orally  or  in  written  form.  If  rewards  are  given,  in  this 
or  the  former  contest,  they  may  consist  of  small  flags,  or 
of  other  patriotic  emblems. 

A    TOUR    OF    NATIONS. 

1.  Nation  from  which  we  start :  Germination. 

2.  Actors'  nation  :  Impersonation. 

3.  Nation  for  criminals  :  Condemnation. 

4.  Murderers'  nation :  Assassination. 


EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS.  3  I 

5.  Nation  for  astonished  people  :  Consternation. 

6.  Nation  for  rulers  :  Domination. 

7.  Nation  for  pests  :  Extermination. 

8.  Nation  for  their  subjects  :  Subordination. 

9.  Nation  provoking  disapproval :  Abomination. 

10.  Teachers'  nation  :  Explanation. 

11.  Their  pupils' nation  :  Examination. 

12.  The  rebels' nation  :  Alienation. 

13.  Nation  for  labor  unions  :  Combination. 

14.  Nation  for  unwilling  people  :  Declination. 

15.  Nation  for  smallpox  patients  :  Vaccination. 

16.  Soothsayers' nation :   Divination, 

17.  A  floral  nation :  Carnation. 

18.  A  politicians' nation :  Nomination. 

19.  Nation  for  contagious  disease  :   Contamination. 

20.  Nation  for  seed-sowers  :  Dissemination. 

21.  Nation  for  deer :  Stagnation. 

22.  Nation  for  the  resolute  :  Determination. 

23.  Nation  for  choir  boys  :   Intonation. 

24.  Nation  for  a  new  king:  Coronation. 

25.  Nation  for  the  deluded  :  Hallucination. 

26.  The  poets'  nation  :   Imagination. 

27.  Nation  for  travellers  :  Destination. 

28.  Nation    for    those    whose    official    usefulness   is 

ended  :   Resignation. 

29.  Nation  for  benevolent  people  :  Donation. 

30.  A  charming  nation  :   Fascination. 

31.  A  nation  of  sects  :   Denomination. 

32.  The  critics'  nation  :   Discrimination. 

33.  The  nation  at  the  climax  :   Culmination. 

34.  The    nation    we    have    now    reached :     Termi- 

nation, 


32  EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS. 

The  lunch  or  supper  may  include  one  or  more  articles 
of  food  supposed  to  be  from  each  of  the  several  promi- 
nent countries :  French  rolls,  omelet,  and  coffee ;  Ger- 
man sausage  or  pretzels ;  Irish  potatoes ;  English  roast 
beef  or  plum  pudding;  macaroni,  spaghetti,  or  fruits 
from  Italy ;  Scotch  oatmeal  "  parritch  " ;  and  Yankee 
doughnuts,  succotash,  or  pumpkin  pie.  Or  there  may 
be  separate  tables  with  a  complete  bill  of  fare,  and  a 
waitress  in  costume  for  each  nation,  thus  giving  a  wide 
choice.  The  latter  way  is  most  profitable,  as  some  will 
pay  for  several  suppers  before  leaving.  Both  the  supper- 
room  and  the  parlors  should  be  tastefully  draped  with 
flags  of  the  various  nations,  and  a  stirring  march  may 
be  played  when  supper  is  announced. 

A  ** California  Shake**  SociaL 

Decorations  should,  if  possible,  include  some  sugges- 
tions of  California,  either  in  flowers,  curios,  or  pictures. 
Begin  with  music,  and  have  a  short  literary  programme, 
including  a  paper  or  address  on  some  phase  of  Cali- 
fornia life.  Refreshments  are  served  on  "  shakes. " 
These  are  thin  shingles  one  foot  long  and  six  inches 
wide,  decorated  with  a  ribbon  bow.  They  were  used 
originally,  we  believe,  in  a  Christian  Endeavor  social 
given  by  the  First  English  Lutheran  Church  of  Oakland, 
Cal.  The  Endeavorers  secured  the  autographs  of  their 
friends  on  their  "  shakes,"  and  carried  them  away  as 
souvenirs. 

A  College  Social. 
This  is  especially  adapted  to  the  purposes  of  tem- 
perance or  missionary  committees,  the  Young  Woman's 


EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS.  33 

Christian  Temperance  Union,  etc.  It  is  best  held  in  a 
large  room,  the  chapel  or  church  parlors,  rather  than 
a  private  house.  College  seniors  and  graduates  may 
wear  their  picturesque  caps  and  gowns,  and  the  room 
should  be  decorated  with  the  college  colors ;  those  oil 
Harvard  draped  on  the  wall  at  one  side  or  corner,  those 
of  Wellesley  at  another,  etc.,  till  a  half-dozen  or  more 
of  the  principal  American  colleges  are  thus  represented. 
Place  small  tables  around,  with  photographs  of  college 
buildings,  scenery,  and  people,  each  table  devoted  to  a 
different  college,  and  arranged  in  its  appropriate  corner, 
with  the  special  draperies  corresponding.  It  will  add  to 
the  interest  if  some  person  well  informed  on  the  subject 
is  in  charge  of  each  table  to  explain  the  photographs 
and  answer  inquiries ;  but  if  the  pictures  are  carefully 
labelled,  this  may  be  dispensed  with. 

The  exercises  may  begin  with  two  or  three  short  ad- 
dresses on  college  athletics,  the  recent  improved  facilities 
for  study  of  the  sciences,  the  position  of  leading  colleges 
on  the  temperance  question,  college  life  from  a  girl's  point 
of  view,  etc.,  with  a  humorous  recitation  or  bright  story 
bearing  on  the  subject.  Then,  for  the  main  feature,  have 
a  written  examination,  with  questions  on  church,  mis- 
sionary, or  temperance  history,  or  on  the  society's 
work.  Copying,  instead  of  being  forbidden,  should  be 
encouraged. 

All  present  are  supposed  by  courtesy  to  be  "  author- 
ities "  on  some  one  or  more  of  the  subjects  treated.  Let 
the  examination  last  three-quarters  of  an  hour,  with 
suitable  rewards  for  the  students  who  can  report  the 
greatest  number  of  "  authorities  "  consulted.  Each  stu- 
dent who  is  declared  to  have  "  passed  "  may  be  presented 


34  EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS. 

with  a  diploma  or  certificate,  tied  witli  a  ribbon,  and 
containing,  besides  the  usual  testimonials,  the  hour  and 
place  of  the  society's  regular  meeting,  with  invitation  to 
attend. 

Serve  cocoa,  wafers,  and  "  fudges,"  or  some  similar 
college  dainty,  for  the  refreshments,  and  close  with  a 
succession  of  carefully  selected  college  songs,  such  as 
"  Fair  Harvard,"  the  Cornell  "  Alma  Mater,"  etc. 

L.    M.    H. 

A  Colonial  Social* 

Have  a  log  house  if  possible,  of  any  size  preferred^ 
perhaps  large  enough  to  answer  for  the  .store  of  refresh^ 
ments,  in  one  corner  of  the  church  parlors  or  room 
where  the  social  is  to  be  held.  This  hut  should  be  put 
together  with  sufficient  care  to  stand  any  probable  raids 
by  Indians  or  others  who  may  enter  too  enthusia-stically 
into  the  spirit  of  the  occasion.  Costumes,  of  course, 
should  be  in  the  colonial  style,  and  those  who  will  take 
pains  to  do  so  may  give  a  colonial  quaintness  to  their 
speech  in  conversation  throughout  the  evening.  A 
"  Priscilla  "  and  an  "  Evangeline  "  will  be  as  picturesque 
for  the  waitresses  as  the  more  richly  clad  dames  who 
preside  at  the  antique  silver  tea-urns.  Do  not  forget 
the  importance  of  powdered  hair  and  kerchiefs.  An 
Indian  or  two,  with  blanket,  feathers,  and  tomahawk, 
will  be  impressive  if  appearing  at  some  unexpected 
time. 

Have  all  the  colonial  relics  that  can  be  collected, 
including  specimens  of  printing,  needlework  such  as  our 
grandmothers'  "samplers,"  any  stray  fan,  slipper,  or 
glove  formerly  belonging  to  a  colonial  belle,  etc.     The 


EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS.  35 

ear-rings  worn  at  that  period  are  some  of  them  astonish- 
ing, and  the  old-fashioned  medallion  lockets  are  full  of 
interest.  Stories  may  be  told  concerning  these  relics; 
some  one  may  give  an  account  of  John  Eliot's  work 
among  the  Indians,  and  of  the  first  Bible  and  first 
newspaper  ever  printed  in  this  country.  Serve  primitive 
refreshments,  including  the  all-important  tea.  In  such 
a  social,  the  old-fashioned  games  like  "  blind  man's 
buff "  will  be  found  to  possess  a  new  charm.  Several 
songs,  such  as  the  "  Old  Oaken  Bucket "  may  be 
selected,  even  if  not  strictly  colonial ;  and  all  present 
may  join  in  the  closing  one,  "  America."      l.  m.  h. 


A  Buttercup  Social. 

This  can  be  made  as  simple  or  as  elaborate  as 
desired  in  the  matter  of  decorations,  etc.  Paper  ribbons 
and  draperies  of  a  clear,  bright  yellow  may  be  used,  or 
green  foliage  and  vines,  with  clusters  of  buttercups  here 
and  there,  and  vases  of  the  same  flower.  Buttercups 
should  be  worn  by  the  committee.  Waitresses  may 
wear  yellow  bows  on  caps  and  aprons.  Lamp-shades 
of  the  same  color  add  to  the  effect. 

The  buttercups  are  typical  of  sunshine  and  good 
cheer,  as  can  easily  be  made  evident.  An  address  by 
the  pastor  or  president,  on  "  The  Magic  of  Good 
Humor  "  may  open  the  evening,  followed  by  music  and 
a  recitation  like  "  The  Discontented  Buttercup  "  or  a 
humorous  reading.  Prepare  cards  on  which  are  writ- 
ten questions  on  some  missionary  or  temperance  sub- 
jects, and  other  cards  containing  the  answers;  paint 
a  buttercup  on  each,  and  distribute  them,  each  holder 


36  EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS. 

of  a  question  to  find  the  one  with  the  answer.  W  en 
all  have  found  partners,  announce  five  minutes  for 
conversation  on  topics  suggested  by  the  cards  held. 

Next,  during  a  prelude  played  on  piano,  violin,  or 
mandolin,  a  member  of  the  society  enters  with  a 
basket,  and  proceeds  to  sing  the  familiar  "  Little 
Buttercup  "  solo,  from  "  Pinafore,"  only  with  a  differ- 
ence.    The  song,  as  adapted,  reads  as  follows :  — 

"I've  been  to  see  Buttercup,  dear  little  Buttercup, 
Once  with  the  Pinafore's  crew. 
She's  left  it  forever  for  Christian  Endeavor; 
I  hope  she'll  be  loyal  and  true. 

"  Now,  such  the  conditions,  her  work  for  home 
missions 
Prevents  her  from  coming  to-night. 
But  she  gave  me  her  basket,  before  I  could  ask  it; 
The  contents  you'll  view  with  delight." 

The  song  can  then  continue,  if  desired,  by  partially 
describing  the  contents  of  the  basket  in  the  words  of 
the  veritable  "  Little  Buttercup."  As  the  singer  comes 
to  the  "  ribbons  and  laces,"  etc.,  the  wares  should  be 
displayed.  They  may  include  a  number  of  small  fancy 
and  useful  articles  such  as  would  be  salable  at  fairs. 
Every  one  should  have  an  opportunity  to  examine  and 
purchase,  as  it  is  understood  to  be  with  the  object  of 
replenishing  the  society's  treasury,  or  to  be  devoted  to 
charitable  uses.  Refreshments  may  be  lemonade,  orange 
cake,  candy  "  buttercups,"  or  lemon  drops,  and  oranges 
cut  in  two  transversely  to  be  eaten  with  spoons.  The 
paper  napkins  may  be  yellow  and  white,  or  white  with 
a  buttercup  painted  in  one  corner.  l.  m.  h. 


EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS.  37 


A  Labor  Social?  of»  Festival  of  the  Trades. 

This  would  be  suitable  for  the  evening  of  "  Labor 
Day."  If  your  society  includes  among  its  young  men 
members  a  number  of  good  singers,  by  all  means  have 
the  "  Anvil  Chorus  "  from  "  II  Trovatore."  The  rooms 
should  be  large.  The  singers,  dressed  to  represent 
blacksmiths,  with  red  flannel  shirts  and  leather  aprons, 
hammer  in  hand,  enter  and  sing  the  chorus  to  a  piano 
accompaniment.  Anvils  should  be  provided,  and  during 
the  refrain  the  time  is  marked  by  regular  blows  on  these 
with  the  hammers.  Previous  to  the  rendering  of  this 
chorus  there  may  be  other  music  and  a  short  literary 
programme,  such  as  the  following. 

1.  Reading.     Sidney  Lanier's  poem,  "  The  Symphony." 

2.  Address.     "  Our  Comrade,  the  Laborer." 

3.  Reading  from  Chapter  8  or  9  of  Henderson's  "  Social 

Spirit  in  America." 

4.  Paper.     "  Manual  Training  in  Schools  "  or  "  Sloyd." 

Then  the  "  Anvil  Chorus  "  may  be  introduced,  after 
which  games  like  the  tower  of  excuses,  described  in  the 
"  Building  Evening,"  may  be  played.  There  may  be  a 
sale  of  articles  representing  different  handicrafts,  in- 
cluding the  sewing  and  cooking  industries,  the  proceeds 
to  start  a  fund  in  the  society's  treasury  for  the  especial 
purpose  of  aiding  an  industrial  school  or  similar  insti- 
tution. If  desired,  a  debate  may  be  added  to  the 
programme,  such  as,  "  Resolved,  That  the  omission  of 
church  privileges  from  settlements  like  the  Ruskin 
community  is  the  fault  of  the  church."  l.  m.  h. 


38  EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS, 

An  Evening  with  Flora. 

"  Dear  Friend  :  This  invitation  ponder  well. 
A  little  bird  has  told,  as  birds  will  tell, 
That  on  the  Goddess  Flora's  Festal  Day 
Bleak  February  changes  into  May. 
The  time  is  now  at  hand,  —  the  day,  the  hour, 
When  you  can  test  the  bird's  prophetic  power. 
Come  to  the  chapel,  then,  on  Friday  night, 
The  twenty-sixth  ;  and,  if  the  bird  be  right, 
Flora  will  grace  our  social  with  her  charms 
That  banish  care  and  soothe  all  false  alarms. 
Of  course  in  person  we  can  scarce  expect  her. 
But,  while  we  serve  ambrosial  food  and  nectar, 
Or  something  more  substantial,  take  our  word, 
She  '11  make  you  glad  you  listened  to  that  bird. 
Three  things  bring  with  you,  if  you  would  be  kind, 
And  suit  your  gifts  to  royal  Flora's  mind. 
Bring  smiles  and  brains  and  coins  both  large  and  small ; 
But  of  flower  catalogues  bring  none  at  all, 
Or  Flora  '11  be  offended,  more 's  the  pity. 
"  Yours, 
"  Deems  Memorial  C.  E.  Flower  Committee." 

These  were  the  invitations  used  for  a  flower  social 
given  in  February.  In  the  chapel  were  potted  plants 
as  decorations,  and  the  early  part  of  the  evening  was 
given  up  to  music,  a  floral  recitation  or  two,  and  gen- 
eral conversation.  During  the  latter  part  of  the  even- 
ing, we  amused  ourselves  by  writing  "a  floral  love 
story."  Sheets  of  note-paper,  with  programme  pencils 
attached,  were  passed  to  the  guests,  and  floral  answers 
were  given,  so  far  as  possible,  to  the  list  of  numbered 
questions  found  thereon.     This  exercise  of  the  memory 


EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS.  39 

and  ingenuity  is  not  a  new  one,  but  affords  pleasure 
and  opportunity  for  some  variations.  Cake  and  lemon- 
ade, or  sandwiches  and  cocoa,  may  be  the  refreshments, 
while  plates,  cups,  and  napkins  should,  if  convenient, 
bear  floral  designs. 

"  Flower  Mission,"  the  poem  dedicated  to  Miss 
Jennie  Cassiday,  the  invalid  who  has  brightened  so 
many  lives,  would  be  an  appropriate  recitation,  for  one. 
It  may  be  found  in  "  Platform  Pearls."  The  objects  of 
the  flower  committee's  work  should  be  explained,  and  a 
collection  taken  to  aid  in  carrying  out  its  plans.  Some 
slight  gift,  suggestive  of  flowers,  may  be  awarded  to  the 
writer  of  the  best  list  of  answers  in  the  floral  love  story, 
and  a  flower  or  tiny  bouquet  may  be  handed  to  each 
guest  at  the  close  of  the  evening. 

A  Dime  Social. 

Music  and  two  or  three  bright  recitations  or  readings 
may  open  the  evening,  after  a  general  conversational 
time,  while  the  guests  are  assembling.  A  paper  or  talk 
may  be  given  on  the  process  of  coining.  This  may 
either  precede  or  follow  the  "  dime  game,"  which  we 
quote  from  The  Household. 

See  that  each  person  present  is  provided  with  a 
United  States  dime  and  a  lead-pencil,  also  a  sheet  of 
paper  upon  which  the  following  list  has  been  either 
written  or  printed,  with  numbered  blank  spaces  for 
the  answers.  When  these  have  been  distributed,  an- 
nounce that  a  certain  length  of  time  will  be  given  in 
which  to  find  upon  the  face  of  the  coin  the  following 
articles. 


40  EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS. 

1.  Fruit  of  a  tropical  tree. 

2.  What  the  Siamese  twins  were. 

3.  What  a  lazy  man  seldom  gets. 

4.  The  division  of  a  country. 

5.  The  cradle  of  liberty. 

6.  Another  name  for  an  isthmus. 

7.  Something  a  schoolboy  makes. 

8.  Something  a  bootblack  wants  to  give  you. 

9.  What  we  love  to  sing. 

10.  What  a  self-conceited  man  does. 

1 1 .  What  you  might  do  if  very  angry. 

12.  Part  of  a  river  where  the   fourth  letter  of   the 

Greek  alphabet  is  sometimes  found. 

13.  An  instrument  to  catch  sound. 
Find  upon  the  reverse  side  of  the  dime : 

1 .  A  sailor's  measure  of  distance  at  sea. 

2.  Two  articles  for  trimming  for  a  child's  hat. 

3.  A  number  a  miser  is  sure  to  take  care  of. 

4.  What  a  rejected  suitor  always  does. 

5.  The  brow  of  a  hill  overhanging  a  precipice. 

6.  A  pleasant  companion  on  a  dark  night. 

7.  What  makes  the  forests  green. 

8.  From  the  letters  that  form  "  One  Dime  "  make 

thirty-three  words,  common  and  proper  nouns. 

KEY. 

Articles  found  upon  the  face  of  the  dime : 
I.  Date.    2.  United.    3.  Ahead.   4.  States.    5.  Amer- 
ica.    6.  Neck.     7.  Figures.     8.  A  shine.     9.  America. 
10.  Knows  (nose).      11.  Stamped.      12.  Mouth  (Greek 
letter,  Delta).     13.  Ear. 

Find  on  the  reverse  side  of  the  dime : 


EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS.  4 1 

I.  Knot.  2.  Wreath  and  ribbon.  3.  One.  4.  Leaves. 
5.  Edge.  6.  Bow  (beau).  7.  Foliage.  8.  Deem,  done, 
don,  demon,  den,  dine,  din,  dome,  dime,  die,  dim,  doe, 
mind,  mined,  me,  mine,  mode,  mid,  meed,  men,  mend, 
nod,  need,  node,  no,  end,  ide,  in,  I,  O,  one,  ode,  on. 

Some  slight  reward  may  be  given  to  the  one  having 
the  most  correct  answers. 

For  refreshments  have  cake  and  ice-cream,  peanut 
sandwiches  and  lemonade,  or  strawberries  and  cream, 
and  charge  a  dime ;  also,  if  desired,  have  a  long  table 
on  which  may  be  arranged  various  articles  for  sale  at 
that  price. 

An  Italian  SociaL 

The  main  feature  of  the  evening's  entertainment  con- 
sists of  stereopticon  views,  or  at  least  a  collection  of 
photographs,  of  Italian  scenery,  statuary,  and  buildings, 
particularly  in  Rome,  explained  by  an  interesting  speaker, 
preferably  one  who  has  travelled  in  that  region.  Music 
should  include  several  instrumental  selections  from 
Italian  composers,  and  the  song  "  Beautiful  Venice,  the 
Pride  of  the  Sea,"  arranged  as  a  duet  or  trio.  The 
song  may  be  followed  or  preceded  by  a  paper  on  Venice, 
unless  that  interesting  city  has  been  already  fully  treated 
by  the  main  speaker  in  connection  with  the  views. 

The  reading  in  abridged  form  of  "  Tessa's  Surprises  " 
from  "  Aunt  Jo's  Scrap  Bag,"  will  please  the  younger 
guests,  as  will  also  a  peanut-hunt,  or  the  well-known 
game  of  "  Porca  "  or  "  Italian  blind  man's  buff."  Re- 
freshments may  consist  of  macaroni  and  tropical  fruits, 
including  bananas  sold  by  a  member  of  the  society 
dressed  as  an  Italian  pedler.  l.  m.  h. 


42  EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS. 

A  Snowball  Party. 

This  is  for  a  Christmas  social,  and  is  based  chiefly, 
as  is  the  "Christmas  Stocking  Party,"  on  the  descrip- 
tions given  by  Caroline  Harris  Gallagher  in  The  House- 
hold. 

A  large  pine-tree  in  the  centre  of  the  room  is  loaded 
with  white  packages  of  all  sizes  and  shapes,  which  look 
like  huge  snowballs.  Bright-colored  decorations,  but  no 
candles,  are  added. 

On  a  table,  close  at  hand,  is  a  box  filled  with  pieces 
of  cardboard  about  two  inches  square,  each  bearing  a 
number.  The  packages  on  the  tree  are  marked  with 
corresponding  numbers.  Each  person  draws  a  card 
from  the  box,  and  then  looks  for  the  package  bearing 
the  duplicate  number.  Usually  the  search  will  be  longer 
than  might  be  supposed,  and  many  of  the  parcels  are 
hung  so  high  that  a  step-ladder  standing  near  must  be 
called  into  service.  No  assistance  should  be  given  or 
received. 

When  the  mysterious  snowballs  are  unwrapped,  alJ 
sorts  of  pretty,  quaint,  and  funny  articles  appear. 
Guests  in  the  party  described  drew  several  cards  apiece; 
and,  as  the  gifts  are  all  inexpensive,  this  might  answer 
in  a  small  gathering.  Scarf-pins  and  dolls,  silver  pen- 
handles  and  tin  horns,  dainty  ornaments  and  shrill 
whistles,  books  and  cow-bells,  were  among  the  countless 
fruits  growing  on  this  remarkable  tree. 

"  It  was  most  ludicrous,"  says  the  writer,  "  to  see  a 
tall  young  man  holding  a  gayly  dressed  doll,  and  a 
pretty  girl  playing  with  a  jumping-jack,  while  the  sedate 
father  of  the  family  tooted  loudly  on  a  very  unmelodious 


EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS.  43 

horn,  and  his  quiet  little  wife  amused  herself  with  a 
pop-gun,  or  something  equally  juvenile." 

All  the  pretty  and  useful  gifts  may  be  selected  so  as 
to  be  suitable  for  either  girls  or  men,  such  as  blotters, 
calendars,  inkstands,  whisk-brush  holders,  paper-cutters, 
candlesticks,  silver  pencils,  etc. 

For  the  refreshments  a  charge  may  be  made,  if  the 
entertainment  be  given  by  a  society  instead  of  by  an 
individual,  as  in  the  original  case.  They  may  include 
"  snowballs,"  as  described  in  The  Golden  Rjile.  They 
are  made  with  a  cup-shaped  ice-shaver,  which  is  filled 
with  shaved  ice,  the  finer  the  better.  This  ice  is  turned 
out  on  a  saucer,  or  put  in  a  glass  tumbler.  A  thick 
syrup  is  made  by  boiling  down  sugar  flavored  with 
orange  or  lemon ;  or  syrups  may  be  made  with  choco- 
late, or  with  pears  or  peaches.  This  syrup  is  poured 
upon  the  shaved  ice. 

A  Christmas  Stocking  Party. 

We  quote  this  entire  from  the  same  source  as  the 
"  snowball  party." 

"  When  the  company  had  assembled,  we  were  told 
that  there  was  something  hidden  from  each  one  of  us, 
and  marked  with  the  name  of  the  person  for  whom  it 
was  intended.  We  were  to  seek  and  find  our  own 
'  somethings, '  and  no  person  would  be  allowed  to  assist 
another.  The  parlors,  library,  and  halls  furnished  a 
large  field  for  the  search  ;  and  we  soon  learned  that  the 
articles  were  well  hidden. 

"  After  some  time  spent  in  looking  into  the  most  likely 
and  unlikely  places,  success  crowned  the  efforts  of  the 


44  EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS. 

seekers,  and  each  guest  found  in  some  unexpected  spot 
a  funny-looking  stocking  made  of  Turkey  red,  a  knobby 
and  misshapen  object  filled  to  overflowing  with  gifts. 
A  tall  man  found  his  stocking  on  the  floor,  in  a  corner, 
and  a  tiny  maiden,  w^ho  was  scarcely  five  feet  tall,  dis- 
covered hers  on  top  of  a  bookcase.  In  most  curious 
places  were  these  ren^arkable  stockings  found.  They 
were  found  in  the  folds  of  the  portieres,  on  the  backs  of 
chairs  and  sofas,  and  hidden  behind  music-stands  and 
flower-pots. 

"  They  contained  all  sorts  of  pretty,  useful,  ornamen- 
tal, and  ridiculous  things ;  but,  as  each  one  had  been 
filled  for  some  special  person,  the  articles  were  all  ap- 
propriate. 

"  For  example,  in  that  of  a  newly  married  woman  were 
found  dainty  trifles  for  ornamenting  her  house,  an  em- 
broidered doily,  various  kinds  of  kitchen  utensils  (such 
as  tea-strainers,  wooden  spoons,  etc.),  and  a  watchman's 
rattle.  A  doctor  had  in  his,  among  many  other  things, 
a  miniature  skeleton,  a  package  of  prescription  papers, 
an  embroidered  cravat-case,  a  lancet,  and  a  mouth-organ. 
Every  stocking  contained  several  articles ;  some  pretty, 
some  funny,  and  all  appropriate. 

"  Just  before  supper  was  served,  two  little  boxes  con- 
taining slips  of  paper  were  brought  into  the  room.  One 
box  was  handed  to  the  girls  and  one  to  the  men,  with 
the  request  that  each  person  would  draw  one  of  the  slips, 
read  what  was  written  on  it,  and  keep  the  writing  a 
secret. 

"  On   the  cards    of  the    men  were  \vritten  unfinished 

sentences,  such  as  'Bread  and  ,'  '  Pork  and  ,' 

'  Croquettes  and ,'  '  Ice-cream  and  ,'  '  Peaches 


EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS.  45 

and ,'  '  Crackers  and ,'  etc.,  the  missing  words 

being  written  on  the  girls'  cards. 

"  After  all  the  cards  had  been  drawn,  the  girls  went 
alone  into  the  dining-room  and  seated  themselves  at  the 
table,  taking  care  that  every  girl  had  a  vacant  seat  be- 
side her. 

"  Then  the  men  entered,  one  at  a  time,  and  at  the  door 
of  the  dining-room  each  one  read  aloud  what  was  writ- 
ten on  his  card,  and  the  girl  whose  card  completed  his 
unfinished  sentence  was  his  partner  at  supper.  Of  course 

the  man  who  said  «  Bread  and '  belonged  to  the  girl 

who    replied,   '  Butter ' ;    '  Pork    and   '    paired    off 

with  '  Beans  ' ;  '  Croquettes,'  with  '  Peas,'  '  Ice-cream,' 
with  '  Cake  ' ;  '  Peaches,'  with  «  Cream  ' ;  '  Cheese,' 
with  '  Crackers,'  etc.,  and  great  amusement  was  caused 
by  this  highly  original  but  appropriate  way  of  seating 
the  guests. 

"  In  the  centre  of  the  supper-table  was  a  huge  bowl  of 
holly ;  the  doilies  and  centrepiece  were  embroidered 
with  wreaths  of  the  same  ;  and  the  candles  and  shades 
were  bright  red.  In  fact,  everj^  detail  of  the  whole 
affair  had  been  arranged  with  a  view  to  its  appropriate- 
ness, and  the  result  was  one  of  the  most  original 
entertainments  that  could  be  imagined." 


King  Gitton's  Reception,  or  a  Plantation  Social* 

Flowers  of  the  cotton  plant,  in  partial  or  full  bloom, 
are  to  be  desired,  if  obtainable,  for  decorations.  Sheets 
of  cotton  batting  may  be  arranged  like  snowbanks  here 
and  there,  and  may  form  the  costume  of  the  chairman 
of   the  committee,    as    King   (or    Queen)  Cotton.     The 


4^  EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS. 

othei  members  of  the  committee  should  wear  cotton 
dresses. 

The  main  part  of  the  evening's  entertainment  consists 
of  tableaux,  or  shadow  pictures  on  a  sheet,  representing 
scenes  from  Southern  life.  To  this  may  be  added  a 
paper  or  talk  on  "  The  South  of  the  Twentieth  Century." 
A  magazine  story  of  plantation  life  may  be  read,  and 
several  of  the  better  class  of  plantation  melodies  will  be 
appreciated.  These  should  be  selected  with  care,  to  be 
entirely  unobjectionable,  but  such  songs  as  "  Suwanee 
River"  and  "  When  the  Cotton  Fields  Are  White,"  the 
latter  sung  as  a  chorus,  are  among  those  found  most 
appropriate. 

A  ball  of  knitting-cotton,  or  crochet-cotton,  may  have 
quotations  on  slips  of  paper  wound  into  it,  after  being 
twisted  up  into  small  compass.  The  ball  may  be  passed 
from  one  to  another,  each  unwinding  until  a  quotation  is 
reached.  Refreshments  of  "  hoe-cake  "  or  corn  pone, 
hominy  and  syrup,  or  similar  viands,  may  be  served. 

L.    M.    H. 

An  Evening  with  **  Jack.** 

Invitations  may  read  like  ordinary  reception  cards, 
"  To  meet  His  Distinguished  Highness,  Jack."  On 
arrival,  the  guests  find  the  reception  committee  ready 
to  introduce  them  to  "Jack."  But  this  takes  time, 
as  Jack  is  somewhat  numerous.  Beginning  with  the 
cheerful  Jack  o'  Lantern  in  the  hall,  there  should 
be  Jack  Frost,  Jack  Tar,  Jack  of  All  Trades,  Jack 
o'  Dreams,  Jack  Horner,  Jack  the  Giant-Killer,  Jack 
and  Jill,  Jack  and  the  Beanstalk,  Jack  Sprat,  Gen- 
eral Jacqueminot,  Jack-Be-Nimble,  etc.,  each  dressed  ir< 


EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS.  47 

character  and  representing  by  conversation  and  manner 
the  particular  Jack  in  question.  A  short,  bright  speech 
may  be  prepared,  in  which  each  Jack  relates  his  adven- 
tures and  connects  them  in  some  way  with  local  happen- 
ings and  the  work  of  the  society.  Questions  written  on 
slips  of  paper  may  be  distributed  to  assist  the  guests  in 
their  attempts  at  interviewing  "  his  distinguished  high- 
ness." 

Music  may  be  introduced  ;  Jack  Horner's  pie  may  be 
served  as  refreshments,  with  Jack-Be-Nimble  acting  as 
waiter;  and  the  games  of  jackstones  and  jackstraws, 
each  on  a  separate  table,  can  test  the  forgotten  skill  of 
the  older  people  present,  as  well  as  amuse  the  younger 
ones.  The  evening  may  appropriately  close  with  a  vote 
of  thanks  to  "Jack,"  or  a  slight  gift  to  the  one  who  has 
best  represented  his  character.  A  jumping-jack  might 
be  chosen  as  a  reward  in  this  case.  L.  M.  h. 

Chinese  Social,  No.  2. 

"  An  evening  in  China,"  given  by  the  Endeavorers  of 
the  Wurto  Street  Baptist  Church  of  Kingston,  N.  Y.,  is 
worth  preserving  as  reported  in  The  Golden  Rule. 

"  The  room  was  prettily  decorated.  At  one  side  was 
a  pagoda  tastefully  draped  with  yellow  and  white  bunt- 
ing. In  the  centre  of  the  room  there  hung,  a  short  dis- 
tance from  the  ceiling,  a  large  Chinese  parasol.  At 
intervals  along  the  side  Chinese  lanterns  were  fastened. 
Lanterns  were  also  suspended  from  the  ceiling  near  the 
sides  of  the  room,  and  along  the  walls  were  fastened 
Chinese  pictures,  maps  of  that  vast  empire,  and  Chinese 
kites,  made  of  white  muslin  and  gayly  decorated  with 
bows  of  bright-colored  tissue-paper. 


48  EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS. 

"  During  the  evening  a  programme  was  rendered,  all 
portions  of  which  related  to  China.  '  Miss  Maloney  on 
the  Chinese  Question  '  was  recited,  and  there  were  papers 
on  '  The  Chinese  Empire,'  '  The  Manners  and  Customs 
of  the  Chinese,'  '  The  Chinese  Arts  and  Inventions,' 
and  '  The  Religion  of  China.'  By  the  use  of  the  stere- 
opticon  a  young  man  dressed  in  Chinese  costume  exhib- 
ited pictures  that  helpfully  illustrated  these  papers, 
accompanying  them  with  an  instructive  talk. 

"  From  under  the  pagoda  refreshments  were  served, 
consisting  appropriately  of  rice  and  milk,  tea  and  cocoa, 
banquet  wafers,  sliced  oranges,  cake,  and  dates.  Five 
young  men  dressed  in  Chinese  costume  served  these 
refreshments.  Fifteen  cents  charged  for  the  same  ob- 
tained money  for  the  purchase  of  a  missionary  library.  " 


A  Gate  Social. 

This  might  be  used  as  a  Hallowe'en  entertainment. 
Brief  rhymed  invitations  are  sent  out,  something  like 
the  following :  — 

"  You  are  asked  to  join  in  a  frolic  bright, 
To  be  held  at  Miss  Brown's  next  Friday  night. 
Come,  let  us  persuade  you  to  learn  your  fate 
On  the  other  side  of  the  mystic  gate. 

Signed,  The Y.  P.  S.  C.  E." 

A  pen-and-ink  design  of  a  gate  may  be  drawn  on  the 
upper  left-hand  corner  of  the  invitation  sheet. 

In  a  wide  opening  between  two  parlors,  or  between  a 
parlor  and  a  dining-room,  arrange  a  floral  gate.     This 


EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS.  49 

may  be  made  of  wire,  wound  with  evergreen,  and  flowers 
inserted.  It  must  be  made  so  that  it  will  open  and 
close,  and  may  bear  a  small  placard,  "  No  swinging  on 
this  gate." 

The  programme  should  begin  early,  and  be  very  short. 
It  may  include  music,  one  reading  or  recitation,  and  a 
paper  or  talk  on  San  Francisco,  the  "  City  of  the  Golden 
Gate."  Arrange  partners  for  refreshments  by  using  the 
list  of  "  Thirty  Gates"  published  in  The  Youth's 
Companion. 

Write  the  conundrums  and  answers  upon  different  sets 
of  cards  shaped  like  gates.  Pass  one  set  to  the  young 
men  and  the  other  to  the  young  women,  and  let  each 
possessor  of  a  question  seek  the  answer,  or  vice  versa. 
Here  is  the  list :  — 

What  gate  proclaims  and  publishes  ?  Promulgate. 

What  gate  unyokes  and  sets  free  .''  Abjugate. 

A  gate  of  an  inquiring  turn  :  Interrogate. 

A  gate  which  punishes  severely  :  Castigate. 

A  gate  full  of  wrinkles  :   Corrugate. 

A  gate  which  connects  and  classifies  :  Conjugate. 

A  gate  which  acts  as  an  ambassador  :  Legate. 

A  gate  which  travels  by  water :  Navigate. 

A  gate  which  makes  claims :  Arrogate. 

A  gate  which  repeals  laws  :  Abrogate. 

A  gate  which  increases  in  length  :  Elongate. 

A  gate  which  goes  to  law :   Litigate. 

A  gate  which  soothes  and  alleviates  :   Mitigate. 

A  gate  which  conquers  and  subdues  :  Subjugate. 

A  gate  which  places  itself  under  bonds  :  Obligate. 

A  gate  acting  as  a  representative  :   Delegate. 

A  gate  which  separates  :  Segregate. 


50  EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS. 

A  gate  which  cleanses  and  purifies :  Fumigate. 

A  gate  which  sends  people  into  exile  :  Relegate. 

A  gate  which  waters  :   Irrigate. 

A  gate  of  many  colors  :  Variegate. 

A  gate  which  assembles  :   Congregate. 

A  gate  which  seeks  knowledge  :   Investigate. 

A  gate  which  produces  its  kind  :  Propagate. 

A  gate  which  includes  the  whole  :  Aggregate. 

A  gate  which  ties  together  :  AUigate. 

A  gate  which  deserts  :   Runagate. 

A  gate  which  denies  and  rejects :  Negate. 

A  gate  which  sails  the  sea  :  Frigate. 

A  gate  of  self-denial :  Abnegate. 

Do  not  number  the  cards,  but  let  the  search,  with  the 
conversation  involved,  occupy  a  half-hour  if  necessary. 

During  the  refreshments  which  follow  when  all  are 
seated,  prepare  the  surprise  of  the  evening,  in  the  form 
of  the  tableau  of  "  The  Three  Fates,"  arranged  from 
the  well-known  picture.  Have  this  in  the  room  "  be- 
yond the  mystic  gate,"  which  has  been  darkened  until 
the  proper  time  arrives.  An  impressive  announcement 
is  made,  music  is  played  softly,  and  a  colored  light  will 
add  greatly  to  the  effect. 

Each  guest  then  exchanges  partners  with  his  nearest 
neighbor,  and  a  march  follows,  while  all  pass  through 
the  floral  gateway  and  receive  their  "  fortunes "  or 
"  fates  "  from  the  hand  of  a  person  concealed  behind  a 
curtain.  These  "fates  "are  written  on  slips  of  paper, 
and  may  be  original  or  quoted,  only  so  that  they  are  of 
a  prophetic  nature.  They  may  be  written  on  dainty 
cards  if  preferred,  and  retained  as  souvenirs. 

L.   M.   H. 


EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS.  5  I 

An  Accidental  Social* 

This  was  held  in  the  ( acci  )dental  parlors  of  Stewart 
Spencer,  D.  D.  S.  All  who  came  were  requested  to 
tell  of  the  most  serious  accident  or  narrowest  escape 
that  ever  happened  to  them.  At  a  social  of  this  kind 
the  games,  conundrums,  refreshments,  etc.,  may  be  in- 
troduced at  unexpected  times,  and  there  may  be  a 
reading  of  the  delightful  chapter  on  "  Unexpected  Com- 
pany," from  J.  M.  Barrie's  "  Window  in  Thrums." 


A  Klondike  Social* 

Photographs  of  arctic  regions  are  on  exhibition,  and 
a  series  of  numbered  "  Klondike  conversation  topics," 
prepared  on  note-sheets,  is  used,  with  the  plan  of  chang- 
ing partners  and  topics  every  five  minutes.  The  topics 
may  be  so  worded  as  to  conduct  the  conversers  succes- 
sively through  various  adventures  on  an  imaginary 
journey  to  the  Klondike.  When  they  reach  this  goal, 
the  topics  cease,  and  a  hunt  for  nuggets  begins.  This 
takes  place  in  an  adjoining  room  decorated  to  represent 
a  winter  scene. 

The  "  nuggets  "  are  nuts,  fruits,  candy,  etc.,  hidden  in 
every  conceivable  place. 

A  Celebrity  Social. 

Mount  portraits  of  famous  men  and  women,  number 
them,  hang  them  about  the  rooms;  have  a  correspond- 
ing list  of  numbers  on  the  card  passed  each  guest,  for 
use  in  a  guessing  contest.     A  bright  biographical  sketch 


52  EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS. 

or  two  might  be  read  in  addition,  or  a  series  of  anec- 
dotes of  famous  persons  given.  Decorate  the  winner 
of  the  contest  with  a  ribbon  badge,  on  which  is  a  small 
medallion  portrait  of  some  noted  person.  Serve  "  celeb- 
rity cake  "  and  lemonade,  the  importance  of  the  cake 
consisting  in  the  fact  that  it  was  made  by  one  or 
several  of  the  ladies  present. 

This,  with  the  two  preceding  socials,  was  reported  in 
Onward  as  being  given  by  the  Young  People's  Chris- 
tian Union  of  Harriman,  Tenn.  They  are  given  here 
with  an  additional  touch  or  two. 

An  Evening  with  Animals. 

(  For  the  Juniors,  Loyal  Temperance  Legion,  etc.) 

Tijis  delights  the  children,  and  serves  to  interest  all 
in  the  principles  of  kindness  to  dumb  animals  taught  by 
the  "  Band  of  Mercy."  Rhymed  invitations  are  sent 
out,  and  tickets  sold  by  the  children  at  five  cents  each, 
or  the  invitations  may  themselves  serve  as  tickets. 

A  good  stereopticon  is  the  chief  essential,  and  every 
society  should  possess  one,  as  it  can  be  used  for  a  large 
variety  of  entertainments.  For  this  occasion  procure 
stereopticon  plates  of  a  number  of  different  animals. 
No  lecture  or  address  is  necessary ;  but,  as  each  animal's 
picture  is  displayed  on  the  sheet,  have  a  recitation  or 
song  by  a  Junior  about  the  animal  shown.  One  on  "  My 
Kitty,"  is  given  by  a  very  little  girl,  who  carries  a  Mal- 
tese kitten  in  her  arms.  Another  is  a  reading  from 
"  Black  Beauty,"  or  some  other  suitable  selection  regard- 
ing the  horse.  Most  of  the  literature  containing  these 
recitations  can  be  procured  of  the  Woman's  Temper- 


EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS.  53 

ance  Publishing  Association,  Chicago.  We  insert  one 
additional  one,  however,  which,  taken  in  connection 
with  the  costume,  is  too  good  to  omit.  It  is  "The 
Travelling  Monkey,"  recited  by  a  little  boy  in  a  red 
cap  and  jacket,  to  represent  the  monkey. 

The  evening  closes  with  a  distribution  of  fancy  cakes 
or  crackers,  made  in  the  form  of  animals,  one  to  each 
child  present,  or  to  every  one  present,  whether  children 
or  adults,  if  the  society  is  generously  inclined. 

The  poem  and  invitation  read  as  follows :  — 

My  master  grinds  an  organ, 

And  I  pick  up  his  money ; 
And  when  you  see  me  doing  it, 

You  call  it  very  funny. 

But  though  I  dance  and  caper,  still 

I  feel  at  heart  forlorn  : 
I  \vish  I  were  in  monkey-land, 

The  place  where  I  was  born. 

There  grow  the  great  green  cocoanuts 

Around  the  palm-tree's  crown  ; 
I  used  to  climb  and  pick  them  off. 

And  hear  them  —  crack  1  —  come  down. 

There  all  day  long  the  purple  figs 

Are  dropping  from  the  bough  ; 
There  hang  the  ripe  bananas  ;  O, 

I  wish  I  had  some  now  I 

I'd  feast  and  feast  and  feast  and  feast, 

And  you  should  have  a  share. 
How  pleasant  't  is  in  monkey-land  1 

O  would  that  I  were  there  1 


54  EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS. 

On  some  tall  tree-top's  highest  bough, 

So  high  the  clouds  would  sail 
Just  over  me,  I  wish  that  I 

Were  swinging  by  my  tail. 

I'd  swing  and  swing  and  swing  and  swing; 

How  merry  that  would  be  1 
But,  0 1  a  travelling  monkey's  life 

Is  very  hard  for  me. 

—  Marian  Douglas. 

"  The  fifteenth  of  April  be  sure  to  keep  free. 
The  L.  T.  L.  begs,  and  the  Junior  C.  E., 
Then  you  '11  be  in  the  chapel  at  7.30 ; 
And  then  at  a  signal  will  go  down  the  light. 
And  when  it  is  dark  you  '11  see  such  a  sight  1 
And  hear  stories  pathetic  and  funny  and  bright ; 
While  the  whole  dumb  creation  will  parade  on  that  night. 
And,  when  you  have  heard  them  offer  their  pleas. 
You  '11  never  be  tempted  again  to  tease 
This  wonderful,  beautiful  animal  nation, 
Which,  may  we  remember,  is  God's  own  creation." 


A  Forest  Social. 

Decorate  with  green  vines,  boughs,  and  foliage  of  all 
kinciS ;  and,  if  available,  a  green,  mossy-appearing  rug 
or  carpet  will  add  greatly  to  the  effect.  Woodland 
flowers  are  appropriate ;  there  should  be  no  others. 
"  Robin  Hood  and  his  merry  men  "  should  be  present, 
dressed  in  hunting-costume ;  and  a  motion  song  by 
fairies  or  brownies  would  be  pretty.  The  song  of  the 
"  Christmas  Fairies  "  in  the  Christmas  exercise  used  by 
many,  with  its  "  Tripping,  tripping,  lightly  skipping " 


EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS.  55 

chorus,  could  be  easily  altered  and  adapted  to  the  occa- 
sion. 

A  witch  in  a  long  red  cloak  and  a  high  pointed  cap 
may  prescribe  unique  remedies  for  imaginary  ills  and 
troubles,  as  she  is  consulted  by  one  and  another  of  the 
company  present.  This  could  be  made  not  only  amusing 
but  suggestive  as  a  committee  conference,  if  prepared 
beforehand  instead  of  being  impromptu.  The  various 
trials  and  discouragements  of  the  society  could  be  pre- 
sented, and  the  witch  could  have  her  replies  in  the  form 
of  rhymed  quotations  or  original  suggestions,  witty 
and  appropriate,  ready  to  offer  for  the  much-needed 
relief. 

Readings  can  be  given,  such  as  Bryant's  "  Forest 
Hymn,"  and  selections  from  "  A  Midsummer  Night's 
Dream."  If  these  two  be  chosen,  they  should  be 
separated  by  one  or  two  selections  of  instrumental 
music. 

The  game  of  "  babes  in  the  wood  "  may  be  prepared 
in  advance  as  follows :  Let  some  one  who  can  draw 
fairly  well  sketch  on  cardboard  the  pictures  of  two 
wolves,  two  innocent-looking  children,  and  two  fierce- 
looking  ruffians.  Cut  out  these  figures,  supply  them 
with  slight  braces  of  the  cardboard,  that  they  may 
stand  up ;  make  a  little  bow  and  arrow  with  which  the 
guests  are  to  endeavor  in  turn  to  shoot  the  wolves  and 
the  ruffians  without  knocking  over  the  "  babes."  As  the 
six  figures  are  ranged  in  line,  in  the  order  to  make  this 
difficult,  it  is  amusing  to  watch  the  contest.  Any  one 
shooting  a  wolf  counts  five  to  his  credit ;  a  ruffian  thus 
disposed  of  counts  two ;  and  a  "  babe  "  knocked  over 
means  a  loss  of  two  counts.     The  game  is  won  by  the 


$6  EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS. 

person  who  makes  the   best  disposition   of   the   three 
shots  allowed  him. 

Refreshments  of  nuts  and  fruit  are  served  by  the 
fairies  or  by  Robin  Hood  and  his  men,  and  the  singing 
of  woodland  songs  concludes  the  evening.  Should 
there  be  a  good  vocalist  available,  who  could  render  the 
"  Jenny  Lind  Bird  Song  "  or  a  similar  solo,  it  would  be 
well,  but  is  not  necessary  to  success.  L.  m.  h. 

A  Village  Improvement  Social* 

In  connection  with  this  plan,  the  committee  will  find 
much  food  for  thought  and  enthusiasm  in  a  previous 
study  of  Professor  Henderson's  book,  "  The  Social 
Spirit  in  America,"  especially  chapters  6  and  14. 

Collect  photographs,  engravings,  or  stereopticon  views 
showing  attractive  parks,  fountains,  gardens,  well-kept 
lawns,  shady  avenues,  broad  drives,  and  other  scenery 
to  bring  out  the  idea  of  public  improvements.  Then 
have  another  collection  of  pictures  showing  a  neglected, 
tumble-down  condition  of  houses  and  fences,  irregular, 
broken  pavements,  narrow  alleys  cluttered  with  barrels, 
rubbish,  etc.  If  possible,  have  the  same  scenes  photo- 
graphed "  before  and  after  taking "  the  methods  of 
village  improvement  which  you  wish  to  urge. 

An  original  humorous  poem  or  sketch  may  be  read, 
Something  after  the  "  Ten  Little  Injuns "  style  might 
do,  entitled  "  Ten  Merry  Bicyclists,"  for  instance ;  giv- 
ing an  account  of  the  successive  mishaps  that  befell  them 
through  the  sad  condition  of  the  streets.  "The  Calf 
Path,"  by  Sam  Walter  Foss,  would  also  be  a  good 
selection,  and  a  reading  from  "  The  Deserted  Village." 


EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS.  5/ 

If  it  is  desired  to  raise  money  for  a  fountain,  distrib- 
ute dainty  cards  with  a  ribbon  bow  in  the  corner,  one 
side  blank,  and  the  other  side  containing  the  picture  of 
a  fountain.  Read  aloud  perhaps  eight  or  ten  poetical 
or  scriptural  quotations  regarding  fountains  and  water, 
or  beauty  and  beautiful  cities  or  streets.  Let  every  one 
guess  the  source  of  the  quotations,  writing  their  guesses 
on  the  blank  side  of  the  card.  The  one  who  is  found, 
on  comparison,  to  have  guessed  correctly  the  largest 
number  has  the  privilege  of  selecting  a  poem  or  other 
reading  from  some  favorite  author,  to  be  read  aloud. 

There  may  be  two  papers  or  addresses  on  the  pur- 
pose of  the  evening ;  one  entitled  "  The  Slough  of 
Despond,"  and  the  other,  "  What  to  Do  about  It." 
Some  one  should  explain  the  photographs,  or  give  the 
stereopticon  talk.  The  collection  is  taken  toward  the 
close;  simple  refreshments  are  served,  and  the  fountain 
cards  are  taken  away  as  souvenirs.  L.  m.  h. 

An  Evening  with  Ceres* 

Decorate  the  rooms  with  ornamental  grasses  and 
grains.  A  young  lady  dressed  as  "  Ceres,"  with  classic 
Greek  robe,  girdle,  sandals,  hair  arranged  with  Greek 
bandeaux  and  a  wreath  of  wheat,  acts  as  hostess.  Let 
her  conduct  the  following  game,  called  "the  garden  of 
Ceres."  Beginning  with  the  remark,  "  Ceres  is  planting 
her  garden,"  she  asks  each  guest  in  turn  what  fruit, 
grain,  or  vegetable  he  will  contribute. 

When  all  have  replied,  she  asks  each  why  his  gift, 
as  chosen,  is  appropriate  in  this  particular  society.  One 
who  gave  an  apple  might  reply,  "  Because,  like  Mr.  A's 


58  EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS. 

recent,  or  hoped-for,  donation  to  our  treasury,  it  is  a 
windfall."  One  who  gave  a  grapevine  might  say,  "  Be- 
cause its  fruit  always  appears  in  clusters,  like  our  com- 
mittees." Or  the  one  giving  a  potato,  "  The  most  valuable 
part  is  hidden  from  view,  like  the  lookout  committee 
conferences,"  etc.  Any  one  failing  to  give  a  prompt 
and  satisfactory  answer  must  take  the  place  of  Ceres  in 
the  game. 

There  may  be  a  reading,  "  Indian  Corn  in  Colonial 
Times,"  from  The  Chmitauqtian  of  March,  1898;  a 
selection  from  "  Hiawatha,"  or  Sidney  Lanier's  poem 
on  "  Corn  "  ;  a  short  practical  talk  by  a  vegetarian,  on 
the  value  of  various  health  foods,  especially  of  cereals  ; 
and  at  the  close  there  might  be  a  sale  of  such  foods,  both 
in  packages  and  daintily  prepared ;  or  the  latter  may  be 
served  free  as  "  samples,"  and  a  small  recipe-book  given 
to  each  guest  as  a  souvenir.  Close  with  singing  selec- 
tions such  as  "  Song  to  September"  or  the  hynans  from 
"  The  Finest  of  the  Wheat."  L.  m.   h. 

A  Midwinter  Excursion. 

Partial  credit  for  this  is  given  to  Ida  Upham  in 
The  Household  for  March,  1898. 

Everything  in  connection  with  this  evening  must  be 
carried  out  in  a  most  picnic-like  way.  Where  it  was 
once  held,  the  invitations  read  :  — 

You  are  requested  to  join  an  excursion  to  the  Catskill 
Mountains,  December  28,1897.  The  train  leaves  "  Lynden," 
Westerleigh,  at  7.4S  p.  m.  Single  tickets,  one  smile;  round- 
trip  tickets,  one  smile  and  a  hand-shake. 

G.P.&T.A. 


I 


EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS  59 

As  the  guests  entered,  the  host  (or  hostess)  collected 
the  fares,  and  the  tickets,  which  were  numbered,  were 
given  to  the  gentlemen,  the  ladies  receiving  cards  num- 
bered in  duplicate.  Partners  were  secured  accordingly, 
and  it  was  announced  that  the  train  could  wait  no 
longer.  The  "  train  "  consisted  of  two  rows  of  chairs 
arranged  like  seats  in  a  Pullman  car.  The  tickets 
resembled  a  coupon  ticket,  the  heading  reading  thus  :  — 

N.Y.C.&H.R.  R.R. 

Round-trip  ticket 

Between 

New  York 

and 

Catskill,  N.  Y. 


G.  P.&T.A. 

In  place  of  coupons  were  written  ten  different  subjects 
to  be  discussed  by  the  travellers,  each  subject  being 
allotted  three  minutes.  At  the  expiration  of  the  time 
the  conductor  rung  his  bell  and  called,  "  Change  cars." 
The  ladies  remained  seated,  while  the  gentlemen,  all  of 
whom  were  seated  on  the  same  side,  progressed  one 
seat  ahead.  The  subjects  for  conversation  were  as 
follows :  — 

1.  Relative    advantages   of    shore    and    mountain 
vacations. 

2.  Discuss  the  last  book  you  have  read. 

3.  Should  summer  flirtations  be  encouraged  ? 

4.  If  Columbus  had  not  discovered  America,  where 
would  we  be  at? 

5.  Which  is  more  useful,  electricity  or  steam  ? 


6o  EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS. 

6.  Does  football  pay  ? 

7.  Are  men  more  extravagant  than  women? 

8.  Which  is  more  enjoyable,  boating  or  wheeling? 

9.  Who   are  the  old  women  in  "Mother  Goose's 
Melodies  ? " 

10.     Why  is  a  man  like  his  shoe? 
The  conductor  called  upon  one  of  the  company  to 
read  the  following. 

MAN    AND    HIS   SHOES. 

How  much  a  man  is  like  his  shoes  I 

For  instance,  both  a  sole  may  lose. 

Both  have  been  tanned.     Both  are  made  tight 

By  cobblers.     Both  get  left  and  right, 

Both  need  a  mate  to  be  complete, 

And  both  are  made  to  go  on  feet. 

They  both  need  healing,  oft  are  sold, 

And  both  in  time  will  turn  to  mould. 

With  shoes  the  last  is  first ;  with  men 

The  first  shall  be  the  last ;  and,  when 

The  shoes  wear  out,  they're  mended  new : 

When  men  wear  out,  they're  men  dead,  too. 

They  both  are  trod  upon,  and  both 

Will  tread  on  others,  nothing  loath. 

Both  have  their  ties,  and  both  incline. 

When  polished,  in  the  world  to  shine. 

And  both  peg  out.     Now  would  you  choose 

To  be  a  man  or  be  his  shoes .-' 

When  these  subjects  had  all  been  discussed,  the 
conductor  announced  the  arrival  at  the  "  Mountain 
House."  The  excursion  was  to  last  three  days,  and  a 
large  programme  on  the  wall  read  as  follows :  — 


ETGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS.  6 1 

Wednesday :  Trip  to  the  "  Mountain  House." 
Thursday,  A.  M. :  Stalking  the  deer.     P.  M. :  Music. 
Friday,  A.  M. :  Picnic.     Fishing,  Lunch. 
P.  M. :  Farewell  Reception. 

"  Stalking  the  deer "  was  carried  out  by  a  general 
hunt  for  a  toy  deer  concealed  somewhere  about  the 
room.  Each  one,  on  discovering  it,  immediately  seated 
himself.  The  deer  may  be  presented  to  the  person 
first  finding  it.  Either  music  or  recitations  may  be 
introduced  for  entertainment.  Fishing  consisted  of 
securing  partners  for  lunch.  The  ladies  being  con- 
cealed behind  a  sheet,  the  gentlemen  fished  for  them 
with  a  line  attached  to  a  pole,  each  lady  in  turn  taking 
hold  of  the  line,  and  thus  being  captured.  The  lunch- 
table  was  covered  with  green  tissue-paper,  representing 
grass,  and  decorated  with  smilax.  The  refreshments 
were  served  in  baskets  each  containing  lunch  for  two. 
In  them  may  be  placed  paper  napkins,  sandwiches, 
pickles,  and  boiled  eggs,  preferably  devilled  eggs,  as 
they  make  a  pretty  appearance.  Cake  and  ice-cream 
may  also  be  served,  and  lemonade  for  cooling  drink. 
A  lemonade  well  may  be  tastefully  arranged  with  green 
paper  and  smilax. 

The  farewell  reception  may  be  a  game  in  which  all 
may  join;  for  instance,  parlor  quoits,  or  pitch-the-ring, 
each  person  trying  his  hand.  If  desired,  a  slight  reward 
of  skill  may  be  given  to  the  person  making  the  best 
count  in  the  game.  The  invitation  and  ticket  may  be 
signed,  "  Chairman  of  the  Social  Committee." 

B.  H.  M. 


62  EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS. 


An  Evening  of  Characteristics. 

This  was  arranged  by  a  literary  club,  but  with  slight 
local  variations  would  be  enjoyable  in  most  societies, 
from  beginning  to  end.  The  invitations  were  as  fol- 
lows :  — 

You  are   asked  to  come  on  Friday,  May  the   twentieth,  at 

eight. 
And  present  your  smiling  countenance  at  the  Manse's  postern 

gate. 
But,  as  in  fact  there  is  n't  one,  no  one  must  take  offence 
If  the  latchstring's  only  hanging  out  in  a  figurative  sense. 

So  put  on  your  "  bib  and  tucker "  fine,  your  "  war-paint  and 

your  feathers," 
And  wend  your   cheery  way  up  there,  no  matter  what  the 

weather's  1 
You'll   meet  a  company  of  friends   from   round  about  the 

Park ; 
And,  unless  we  greatly  miss  our  guess,  we'll  have  a  jolly 

lark. 

The  pastor  and  his  wife  have  loaned  their  broad  ancestral 

hall, 
And  a  warm  and  hearty  greeting  will  be  there  accorded  all. 
There  '11  be  a  "  feast  of  reason  "  spread,  to  give  your  wits  a 

rub. 
And  you  will  be  the  welcome  guest  of 

The  Duodecimo  Club. 

A  short  programme  was  rendered,  opened  by  a  bright 
address,  after  which  twenty  minutes  were  given  to  cur- 
rent events,  four  topics  being  assigned  to  as  many 
persons  beforehand  for  a  five-minute  talk  each.     This 


EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS.  63 

was  followed  by  a  paper  on  "  Wit,  Humor,  and  Pathos." 
Conversation  was  general  for  a  half-hour  or  longer,  after 
which  two  games  were  introduced.  The  first  was  the 
game  of  "  characteristics."  Each  guest  was  supplied 
with  a  card  containing  a  list  of  "  characteristics,"  each 
descriptive  of  some  noted  person,  with  a  blank  space 
opposite  for  the  celebrity's  name.  The  guests  were  to 
fill  in  the  names,  aided  by  the  fact  that  the  names  bore 
the  same  initials  as  the  "  characteristics." 

At  the  close  of  the  time  the  cards  changed  hands; 
the  correct  list  was  read  aloud  for  purposes  of  com- 
parison, and  the  most  successful  contestants  (one  lady 
and  one  gentleman)  were  presented  respectively  with 
a  miniature  flag  and  a  sword.  These  naturally  led  to  a 
march,  which  proved  a  spirited  one.  With  the  refresh- 
ments were  passed  the  thinnest  and  daintiest  of  white 
paper  napkins,  with  violets  painted  in  one  corner. 

Another  game  played  was  "  telegrams."  Each  one 
present  was  required  to  write  a  telegram  of  ten  words, 
these  words  to  begin  with  ten  specified  letters,  used  iu 
the  order  given,  or  in  any  order  preferred. 

A  Patriotic  Social. 

"  Uncle  Sam  "  or  "  Columbia  "  in  appropriate  cos- 
tume may  receive  the  guests.  Flags  and  bunting  should 
decorate  the  walls,  together  with  portraits  of  famous 
Americans,  which  may  be  made  an  occasion  for  a 
guessing  contest.  Have  a  "  post-office,"  the  letters 
consisting  of  extracts  from  patriotic  speeches,  or  the 
latest  war  news,  enclosed  in  envelopes  of  red,  white, 
and  blue,  or  with  a  flag  in  one  corner ;  or,  if  convenient, 


64  EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVEXIXGS. 

in  the  envelopes  sometimes  to  be  had,  that  are  them- 
selves simply  representations  of  the  American  flag. 
The  following  programme  has  been  rendered  on  one 
such  occasion :  — 

Chorus.     "The  Star-Spangled  Banner." 

Recitation.     "  Independence  Bell." 

Solo.     "  The  Dying  Soldier,"  or  "  The  Soldier's  Farewell," 

an  adaptation  of  "  Ehren  on  the  Rhine." 
Recitation.     "  Old  Ironsides." 

Reading.     "  The  Antiquity  of  Freedom."     Btyant. 
Chorus.     "  Red,  White,  and  Blue." 

Other  choruses  might  be  added  or  substituted,  such 
as  "  Fair  Native  Land,"  "  Flag  of  Our  Country,"  or 
"  The  Soldiers'   Chorus." 

A  list  of  historic  battles,  with  the  generals  command- 
ing them,  should  be  prepared  in  advance.  The  name 
of  each  battle  may  be  written  on  a  slip  of  paper  or 
miniature  flag,  and  the  name  of  the  commanding  gen- 
eral, correspondingly  numbered,  on  another  slip  or  flag. 
These  may  be  passed  and  matched  to  arrange  partners 
for  refreshments,  which  may  consist  of  saltines,  cheese, 
and  phosphate  of  wild  cherry. 

A  Fragaria  Virginiana  ReveL 

This  is  simply  a  strawberry  festival  in  very  thin  but 
pleasing  disguise.  Small  tables  are  prettily  spread  with 
white  covers  ;  tissue-paper  napkins,  either  all  white  or 
pink-bordered,  are  used ;  and  centrepieces  of  roses  and 
trailing  vines  add  a  charming  effect.  There  may  be  a 
short  musical   programme,  also  a  recitation  or  two,  if 


EIGHTY  PLEAS  AX  T  EVENINGS. 


65 


desired ;  but  the  all-important  strawberrj-,  with  its 
accessories  and  its  classical  name,  forms  the  main 
attraction.  The  invitations,  prepared  by  any  convenient 
duplicating  process,  are  in  antique  English  lettering  as 
well  as  phraseology',  and  are  suitably  illustrated.  They 
may  read  like  the  following  copy  of  a  form  designed  by 
Mr.  Knight  L.  Clapp :  — 


's»GCfl^(50Fi^^  if /fv^SaifrPH 


*>»>^-*J-*^< 


51    6 


ii.llJo'od-S^-l^/a.l-  ti^a«g--  &;^^el^f<».Tniks»^fn^ 
At  Rt- HEREBY  KOTtf(  fB-5^fHj«l»K  Cr^ATTtf/a  C- 

'^%^\Sc^Tz^iA-  f(?«ft^R.tAViaGI>W*WA  ■  Vv>i  fi  be^ 

on-^xfiifbrfion-  St  mjy  bepv'r'chafed  it;  ^^ 

■  ■  ■  ^id-rV^nA-'Y  CAK5  JocjOilh    * 

(grandma. '£;ccj"^miKC- °f^«^- Kjidt^ 

e 


I 


^BtejSiD 


ifry 


66  EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS. 

An  Evening  with  Authors. 

Collect  twenty-five  or  thirty  pictures  of  noted  au- 
thors. These  may  usually  be  cut  out  of  magazines. 
Write  underneath  each  a  number,  and  a  more  or  less 
familiar  quotation  from  the  author's  works.  Pin  them 
around  the  sides  of  the  room,  on  walls  and  curtains ; 
and  give  to  each  guest  a  card  bearing  the  list  of  num- 
bers, to  be  filled  out  with  the  authors'  names.  This 
contest,  in  which  no  help  may  be  given  or  received,  is 
made  more  interesting  than  many,  as  well  as  somewhat 
less  difficult,  by  the  clew  which  the  quotations  furnish. 
Each  contestant  must  write  his  name  on  his  card. 

At  the  close  of  the  time  allowed,  the  cards  are  ex- 
changed, the  complete  list  read  aloud,  and  all  correct 
answers  checked.  The  writer  of  the  best  list  receives 
a  small  book  or  other  appropriate  reward.  A  reading 
from  some  popular  author  and  a  musical  selection  may 
be  added  for  variety. 

To  arrange  partners  for  refreshments,  have  numbered 
slips  of  paper  passed  to  each  guest,  containing  either 
the  name  of  a  noted  author  or  the  name  of  his  native 
town.  These  are  matched,  and  a  march  may  be  intro- 
duced. Souvenirs  might  be  given,  consisting  of  quota- 
tions written  on  cards  of  fancy  shape,  like  a  star  or  a 
pansy,  with  a  tiny  ribbon  bow  by  which  to  attach  it  to 
the  dress.  For  the  central  idea  of  this  social,  the 
authors'  portrait  gallery,  we  are  indebted  to  Miss 
Euphemia  P.  Gregory. 


EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS.  6/ 

Grandmother  Gray^s  Reception. 

This  is  a  shadow  social.  Send  out  brief  invitations 
on  pearl-gray  cards.  The  guests  are  received  by  "  Grand- 
mother Gray,"  represented  by  some  bright  young  lady, 
preferably  one  with  dimples  and  an  especially  youthful 
countenance.  She  should  be  dressed  in  sober  gray, 
with  spectacles,  cap,  powdered  hair,  and  prim  kerchief 
or  shawl.  After  greeting  the  guests  individually,  she 
makes  a  short  speech,  promising  to  introduce  them  to  a 
fine  collection  of  silhouettes  by  a  famous  artist. 

While  the  shadow  pictures  are  being  prepared,  have 
the  lights  turned  low,  and  have  softly  played  instrumental 
music,  and  one  or  two  "  twilight  songs,"  such  as  "  In 
Shadow  Land,"  or  "  Love's  Old,  Sweet  Song,"  as  a  solo, 
and  "  In  the  Starlight"  as  a  duet. 

The  following  suggestions  for  shadow  scenes,  having 
been  tested  with  considerable  success,  are  contributed 
by  an  Ohio  friend,  Miss  Nellie  E.  Wanzer. 

"  A  large  white  screen  was  hung,  a  bright  light  placed 
behind  the  screen,  and  the  lights  in  the  audience-room 
turned  very  low.  The  actors  stood  or  sat  between  the 
bright  light  and  the  screen,  so  that  the  audience  could 
see  only  their  shadows.  These  were  intended  to  be 
comic  rather  than  pretty,  and  made  a  change  from  tab- 
leaux. My  programme  contained  five  shadow  scenes. 
'  A  Swell  Affair '  was  represented  by  a  young  man 
nursing  a  huge  swelling  on  his  face ;  the  bunch  was 
made  by  binding  on  a  large  ball  of  cotton  with  a  hand- 
kerchief. For  '  Wash  Day,'  a  little  girl  rubbed  vigor- 
ously upon  a  doll's  dress,  holding  it  up  frequently  for 
inspection.     'The  Surgical  Operation'  consisted  in  saw- 


68  EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS. 

ing  off  a  pasteboard  arm,  which  had  previously  been 
sewed  to  a  boy's  coat.  This  made  as  good  a  shadow  as 
a  real  arm,  and  he  held  his  own  arm  behind  him  in  such 
a  way  that  it  cast  no  shadow  upon  the  screen.  The 
audience  could  hear  the  saw,  as  well  as  see  its  shadow, 
as  the  operation  proceeded ;  and  the  excitement  was 
great  when  the  surgeon  waved  the  severed  member 
above  his  head  in  a  most  heartless  manner.  '  Going  to 
the  Train  '  was  illustrated  by  a  troop  of  people  hurrying 
along  with  baskets,  umbrellas,  satchels,  a  violin-case, 
and  various  other  encumbrances.  Its  sequel,  '  On  the 
Train,'  was  represented  by  a  young  man  hurrying  to 
pass  a  young  lady,  and  in  his  haste  setting  his  foot 
upon  her  train.  She  cast  an  angry  glance  over  her 
shoulder,  and  he  lifted  his  hat  apologetically.  One 
might  add  to  these  a  great  variety  of  representations 
which  would  be  unique  and  striking." 

A  skein-winding  contest  may  be  held,  in  which  six  or 
more  skeins  of  gray  yarn,  each  held  by  a  partner,  are 
wound  into  balls,  those  first  completing  their  balls 
receiving  some  pretty  trifle  of  gray  hue,  decorated  as 
gayly  as  you  please.  Refreshments  of  doughnuts,  sand- 
wiches, and  coffee  may  be  served. 

A  Cuban  Social. 

Decorate  the  rooms  with  American  and  Cuban 
flags.  Patriotic  music  should  be  interspersed  throughout 
the  evening. 

By  special  permission  of  the  author,  we  quote  the 
words  of  "  Cuba,  the  Pearl  of  the  Ocean,"  by  Dr. 
William  H.  Putnam.     It  was  first  sung  by  Mrs.  Putnam 


EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS.  69 

at  a  large  gathering  at  the  Westerleigh  Auditorium, 
Staten  Island,  on  Memorial  Day,  1898.  An  audience 
of  three  thousand  greatly  appreciated  the  song,  which 
has  since  appeared  in  The  School  Journal.  It  was  sung 
originally  to  the  air  of  "  Red,  White,  and  Blue,"  but  has 
been  set  to  special  music,  which  can  be  procured  by 
addressing  Dr.  Putnam,  at  63  Fifth  Avenue,  New  York 
City. 

CUBA,  THE  PEARL  OF  THE  OCEAN. 

For  Cuba,  the  pearl  of  the  ocean, 

A  land  of  the  noble  and  brave, 
We  give  what  we  have  with  a  blessing, 

This  gem,  with  its  beauty,  to  save  ; 
We  call  from  the  North  the  great  Dewey, 

To  strike  for  its  freedom  a  blow. 
He  sees  with  the  eye  of  an  eagle 

The  far-distant  flag  of  the  foe. 


All  cheer  for  the  brave  boys  in  blue ! 
All  cheer  for  the  brave  boys  in  blue  ! 

The  navy  and  Dewey  forever, 
All  cheer  for  the  brave  boys  in  blue  ! 

The  sun  in  its  splendor  has  driven 

The  mists  from  the  bay  of  Manilla ; 
The  men  are  all  eager  for  action ; 

They  challenge  the  Spanish  flotilla; 
But  back  comes  the  word  of  defiance, 

In  signs  of  deep  anger  and  hate ; 
The  guns  are  made  ready  for  freedom, 

The  signal  of  peace  comes  too  late.  —  Cho. 

"  Fire  when  you  are  ready,"  said  he, 
And  the  world  applauds  Dewey  to-day ; 


70  EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS. 

In  a  far-away  tropical  clime 

Our  flag  has  been  hoisted  to  stay, 
The  pride  of  the  young  and  the  old. 

On  the  Olympia  he  stood,  brave  and  true ; 
The  navy  and  Dewey  forever, 

All  cheer  for  the  brave  boys  in  blue  !  —  Cho. 

The  programme  may  include  a  short  stereopticon  talk 
on  Cuba,  a  reading  from  "  The  Spaniard  in  History," 
published  by  the  Funk  &  Wagnalls  Company,  New 
York  ;  a  paper  on  "  The  Reconcentrado ;  "  an  appro- 
priate poem  or  magazine  story,  founded  on  incidents  of 
the  war ;  and  a  description  of  the  Red  Cross  work,  with 
an  appeal  for  funds,  if  a  collection  is  to  be  taken  for  the 
Cuban  sufferers. 

Games  may  be  introduced,  also  founded  on  incidents 
connected  with  Cuban  history.  "  The  Rescue  of  Miss 
Cisneros "  might  be  played  as  follows :  Prepare  a  list 
of  questions  on  the  war,  or  on  some  other  subject,  and 
have  a  "  question-match,"  conducted  like  the  regulation 
spelling-match.  The  leader  on  each  side  must  be  a 
lady,  the  one  presiding  over  the  winning  side  at  the 
close  being  declared  "  Miss  Cisneros,"  and  immediately- 
captured  by  the  losing  side,  or  Spaniards,  who  surround 
her  and  form  a  "  prison  "  by  clasping  hands.  The  other 
side  then  begin  to  ply  the  Spaniards  with  questions, 
which  must  be  answered  immediately,  and  without  using 
the  words  "yes,"  "no,",  or  "I."  The  first  failure  to 
comply  with  these  rules  breaks  down  the  prison  bars, 
releases  the  captive,  and  ends  the  game. 

"  The  Bombardment  of  Morro  Castle  "  may  be  con- 
ducted with  the  aid  of  ninepins  or  chessmen  grouped 
together  at  one  end  of  a  long  board,  with  two  slightiy 


EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS.  J I 

larger,  or  different  from  the  rest,  each  representing 
Morro  Castle.  Balls  are  rolled  toward  the  goal.  An 
ordinary  pin  knocked  over  counts  one ;  and  Morro 
Castle,  at  either  side,  counts  five. 

"Dewey  at  Manilla,"  "Sampson  at  Santiago,"  and 
"  Hobson's  choice  "  are  games  which  might  be  added. 
For  the  first,  have  a  target  of  some  kind,  —  an  improvised 
one  might  be  made  of  strong  manilla  paper ;  and  aim  at 
the  harbor  in  the  centre,  which  is  surrounded  with 
"mines,"  indicated  by  numbers  or  dots.  Of  course,  the 
endeavor  is  to  enter  the  harbor  without  encountering 
the  mines,  and  the  counts  are  arranged  accordingly. 

"  Sampson  at  Santiago  "  may  be  any  game  where  the 
players  are  divided  into  two  sides.  A  bombardment  of 
conundrums,  or  a  memory  or  pronouncing  test,  followed 
by  forfeits,  would  be  appropriate ;  or  the  game  of  "  pro- 
gressive spelling "  described  in  connection  with  the 
"  due  tea."  The  losing  side  as  a  whole  should  be 
"  bottled  up  "  by  being  sent  into  an  adjoining  room  with 
■orders  to  prepare  a  song,  a  joke,  or  some  specific  feature 
of  impromptu  entertainment. 

For  "  Hobson's  choice,"  have  one  person  leave  the 
room,  and  the  rest  think  of  some  object.  The  absent 
one,  or  "  Hobson,"  is  then  recalled,  and  proceeds  to 
guess  the  article  thought  of.  Ten  questions  and  three 
guesses  are  allowed  him  if  the  article  is  in  sight ;  twenty 
questions  and  three  guesses,,  if  it  is  not.  When  he 
leaves  the  safer  course  of  questioning,  and  boldly  ven- 
tures on  the  few  guesses  permitted,  he  is  said  to  be 
"sinking  the  Merrimac."  If  he  exhausts  his  resources 
without  success,  he  is  said  to  be  captured  by  the  Span- 
ish, which  ends  the  game.     Rewards  may  be  a  miniature 


72  EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS. 

sword,  or  some  article  from  Cuba.  Provide  each  guest 
with  a  tiny  Cuban  flag,  or  hide  them  about  the  room  and 
have  a  general  hunt  for  them.  Play  a  stirring  march 
and  let  the  guests  march  into  the  refreshment-room, 
where  cake  or  wafers,  lemonade,  and  tropical  fruits  may 
be  served.  The  tissue  napkins  may  be  decorated  with 
a  Cuban  flag  in  one  corner.  L.  M.  H. 

An  Evening  with  the  Fairies. 

(  For  the  Juniors.  ) 

Rhymed  invitations  on  dainty  cards,  with  the  picture 
of  a  fairy  or  brownie  on  the  envelope,  may  be  sent. 
The  rooms  or  hall  may  be  decorated  in  green  and  silver. 
Tables  may  contain  fancy  articles  made  by  the  children, 
but  these  may  be  hidden  with  green  covers,  to  look  like 
mossy  banks,  till  after  the  programme.  This  consists  of 
several  recitations  and  bright,  sparkling  little  songs,  espe- 
cially motion  songs,  by  the  children  dressed  in  fairy  and 
brownie  costumes.  Then  uncover  the  tables  and  have 
a  sale  of  the  articles,  including  refreshments ;  or  an  admis- 
sion price  may  be  charged  and  refreshments  served  free. 

The  magic  number  seven,  being  a  favorite  with  the 
fairies,  should  be  brought  in  as  often  as  possible  in  all 
the  arrangements ;  each  departing  guest  may  be  pre- 
sented with  a  fairy  talisman  or  charm,  warranted  to 
preserve  good  humor,  consisting  of  an  invitation  to  the 
Junior  meetings.  L.  M.  H. 

Ching  Lee's  Unworthy  Compliments. 

Another  Chinese  social,  preferably  a  lawn  social  for 
the  Fourth  of  July.  The  invitation  is  suggested  by  a 
slightly  different  one  in   The  Mission  Day  spring,  and 


EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS. 


71 


must  be  read  as  the   Chinese  read,  beginning   at  the 
upper  right-hand  corner,  and  reading  downward. 


J 

T 

A 

C 

U 

U 

N 

H 

L 

E 

D 

I 

Y 

S 

F 

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E 

4th 

& 

E 

S 

& 

A 

E 

Sth 

W 

S 

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T 

P 

D 

R 
O 
C 

E 

E 

V 

S 

E 

S 
I 

o 

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eve 

the 

al 

nifi 

Ching 

clock 

ning 

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pro 

cance 

Lee 

amid 

Ju 

el 

ces 

with 

pre 

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ly 

door 

sion 

your 

sents 

ex 

Fourth 

led 

of 

es 

his 

plo 

and 

by 

the 

teem 

un 

sion 

will 

the 

Maj 

ed 

worthy 

of 

reach 

band 

as 

pres 

com 

fire 

the 

torch 

tic 

ence 

pli 

works 

White 

bear 

Or 

and 

ments 

Fee 

Tern 

ers 

der 

shed 

pray 

op 

pie 

and 

of 

your 

ing 

tion 

which 

sol 

the 

light 

you 

al 

faces 

diers 

Sun 

on 

to 

with 

on 

at 

The 

the 

hon 

each 

the 

eight 

pro 

oc 

or 

guest 

pub 

o' 

ces 

ca 

our 

No 

he 

clock 

sion 

sion 

dis 

charge 

road 

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made 

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9 

day 

from 

roy 

in 

the 

sig 

door 

74  EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS. 

Decorate  the  lawn  and  entrance  with  Chinese  lanterns, 
and  the  chapel  or  church  parlors  with  yellow  draperies, 
Chinese  parasols,  and  fans,  etc.  The  reception  com- 
mittee may  wear  Chinese  costume,  not  forgetting  the 
cue.  Each  guest  is  given  a  piece  of  a  card,  bearing 
either  a  question  or  an  answer  on  subjects  pertaining  to 
China  and  Chinese  mii;sions.  When  the  questions  and 
answers  are  successfully  combined,  by  the  aid  of  num- 
bers if  the  questions  are  difficult,  the  pianist  strikes  up 
a  march  and  the  procession  starts.  After  marching 
several  times  around  the  rooms,  hall,  and  porch,  giving 
opportunity  to  admire  the  decorations,  the  procession  is 
brought  to  a  halt  at  a  convenient  place  from  which  to 
view  the  fireworks.  Two  or  three  short  speeches,  patri- 
otic in  character,  but  especially  comparing  America  and 
China,  may  be  introduced,  and  the  evening  closes  with 
the  "feast"  of  cake  or  wafers  with  ice-cream,  followed 
by  a  collection  of  voluntary  contribulions  for  the  benefit 
of  Chinese  missions.  l.  m.  h. 

A  Christmas  SociaL 

"  In  the  centre  of  the  dining-table,  which  was  covered 
with  a  snow-white  cloth,  and  around  the  edge  of  which 
was  a  border  of  burning  white  candles,  stood  a  large 
white  bowl,  the  top  of  which  was  closed  over  with  a 
crust  of  white  tissue-paper.  Protruding  from  this  and 
hanging  gracefully  over  the  edge  of  the  bowl  were  a 
number  of  white  ribbons,  one  for  each  person  present, 
and  a  few  extras  for  the  absentees.  On  the  exposed 
ends  of  each  of  these  was  pinned  a  number,  and  to  the 
hidden  end  was  attached  a  small  gift.  Each  one  present 
had  been  given  earlier  in  the  evening  a  card  upon  which 


EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS.  75 

was  written  a  number,  and  all  that  now  remained  for 
each  member  to  do  was  to  find  the  ribbon  numbered  to 
correspond,  and  to  rescue  his  trophy  from  the  inside  of 
the  pudding.  The  effect  of  the  pure  white  arrangements 
throughout  was  pretty  beyond  description." 

The  above  is  an  extract  from  Otto  A.  Wehrle's  "  His- 
tory of  the  Hurlbut  Circle,"  of  East  Boston,  in  The 
Chatitauquan  for  May,  1898.  It  was  the  custom  of  the 
circle  to  celebrate  Christmas  by  the  exchange  of  little 
tokens,  the  price  of  which  was  limited  to  the  sum  of  ten 
cents  each.  At  another  time  the  gifts  were  placed  in 
the  foot  of  an  immense  stocking,  which,  when  suspended 
from  the  chandelier,  more  than  touched  the  floor  by 
about  three  feet.  It  was  brought  from  China  by  a  mem- 
ber or  friend  of  the  circle.  This  must  have  been  strik- 
ing, but  the  "pudding"  is  more  easily  obtained,  and 
with  its  white  ribbons  might  very  appropriately  be  used 
by  the  Young  Woman's  Christian  Temperance  Union. 
Quotations  from  Christmas  or  temperance  literature 
might  be  inserted  in  the  packages  or  attached  to  the 
ribbons ;  or  a  short  programme  may  precede  the  dishing- 
out  of  the  "  pudding." 

An  Eggs-ellent  Plan. 
The  young  people  of  the  Baptist  Church  of  Eaton- 
town,  N.  J.,  gave  an  egg-supper  "to  help  eggs-haust  the 
church  debt."  It  is  thus  described  by  The  Baptist 
Union  :  "  The  '  admission  eggs-pence'  was  '  eggs-actly 
two  eggs,'  and  the  supper  was  twenty-five  cents.  The 
supper  consisted  of  eggs  in  various  forms  and  in  combi- 
nation with  various  other  foods,  the  printed  menu 
requiring  more  or  less  conjecture  on  the  part  of  the  one 


^6  EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS. 

ordering  as  to  what  the  articles  mentioned  might  prove 
to  be,  '  egg-salt-ation  '  meaning  ham  and  eggs,  etc.  All 
were  urged  to  '  eggs-ert  yourself  to  come  and  eggs-amine 
for  yourself.     Eggs-it  at  your  pleasure.'  " 

An  Echo  Meeting. 

The  following  programme  may  be  used  at  an  echo 
meeting  of  any  national  or  State  convention. 

It  will  be  better  if  a  delegate  from  the  society  has 
attended  the  convention ;  but,  as  the  daily  papers  give 
full  accounts  and  most  official  papers  publish  convention 
numbers,  this  programme  can  be  arranged  even  if  no 
one  has  been  present. 

Let  the  decorations  be  in  the  prevailing  colors  of  the 
decorations  at  the  convention.  Arrange  that  the  singing 
be  some  of  the  same  songs  that  were  sung  at  the  con- 
vention. Make  extracts  from  the  annual  address  of 
the  president,  and  from  other  addressej  made  there, 
those  given  by  gentlemen  to  be  read  or  recited  by  young 
men ;  those  by  ladies,  by  young  women.  Let  the  dele- 
gate give  a  running  account  of  the  convention,  or  pre- 
pare such  an  account  from  the  official  paper,  with  the 
names  of  the  distinguished  visitors. 

Close  with  the  same  service  used  in  closing  the  con- 
vention, or,  as  in  the  National  Woman's  Christian  Tem- 
perance Union  Convention,  with  all  clasping  hands  and 
singing,  "  God  be  with  you  till  we  meet  again." 

E.    A.    B, 

A  Progressive  Social. 
An  enjoyable  and  instructive  programme  for  a  "  pro- 
gressive social "  is  described  by  Mr.  A.  M.  Harris,  as 
follows :  — 


EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS.  77 

Cut  from  magazines,  papers,  and  other  sources  one 
hundred  and  twenty  pictures  to  illustrate  different  sub- 
jects, say  as  follows :  — 

Pictures  of  twelve  well-known  poets. 

Pictures  of  twelve  well-known  inventors. 

Pictures  of  twelve  well-known  divines. 

Pictures  of  twelve  well-known  women. 

Pictures  of  twelve  well-known  rulers. 

Pictures  of  twelve  well-known  statesmen. 

Pictures  of  twelve  well-known  advertisements.  (Of 
course  there  must  be  nothing  on  the  advertisement 
itself  to  indicate  what  the  advertisement  represents.) 

Pictures  of  twelve  well-known  books.  (See  special 
explanation  below.) 

Pictures  of  twelve  well-known  writers.     (Not  poets.) 

Pictures  of  twelve  well-known  musicians. 

By  referring  to  the  illustrations  representing  books  the 
nature  of  the  iHustrations  may  be  shown ;  for  example  :  — 

A  picture  of  a  boy  holding  a  hoe,  which  would  repre- 
sent "  Ivanhoe." 

A  staircase  on  which  might  be  pasted  a  Cupid 
walking  up  the  stairs,  would  represent  "  Stepping 
Heavenward." 

The  picture  of  a  fine-looking  colored  woman  would 
represent  "  Black  Beauty." 

Pictures  of  sailing-vessels  in  the  moonlight  might  rep- 
resent "  Ships  That  Pass  in  the  Night." 

The  picture  of  a  corset  might  represent  "  The  Deer 
(dear)  Slayer." 

After  all  of  these  cuttings  have  been  prepared  they 
should  be  neatly  pasted  on  pieces  of  white  cardboard 
about  four  inches  by  six. 


78  EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS. 

Then  they  should  be  sorted  into  groups,  each  twelve 
by  themselves,  and  all  the  "  poet "  cards,  for  example, 
marked  "Table  No.  i.  Poets." 

These  twelve  cards  should  be  numbered  from  i 
to  12  inclusive.  The  other  sets  should  be  numbered 
in  the  same  way,  running  up  to  and  including  Table 
No.  ID. 

There  should  also  be  prepared  cards  to  be  used  by 
the  guests  in  writing  their  answers.  In  the  centre  of 
Table  No.  i  would  be  placed  a  package  of  cards  all 
marked  at  the  top  "Table  No.  i,"  and  with  blank  lines 
numbered  from  i  to  12  inclusive,  with  a  place  at  the 
bottom  for  the  writer  to  sign  his  name.  There  should 
be  a  package  of  cards  placed  on  each  table  numbered 
in  the  same  way,  but  having  the  proper  table  designa- 
tion at  the  top. 

The  cards  for  each  table  should  be  divided  into  four 
packages  of  three  each,  turned  face  down. 

The  guests  then  take  their  seats,  four  at  each  table. 
Each  guest  then  picks  up  one  of  the  small  cards  from 
the  centre  of  the  table,  and  signs  his  name  at  the 
bottom ;  then  at  a  given  signal  each  guest  picks  up 
the  three  cards  in  front  of  him  and  writes  on  the  smaller 
card  opposite  the  proper  number  his  answer.  For  exam- 
ple, the  guest  at  Table  No.  i  holding  cards  i,  2,  and  3 
would  write  the  answers  on  the  small  cards  on  the  lines 
numbered  i,  2,  and  3. 

At  the  end  of  two  minutes  the  bell  is  tapped  for  a  sig- 
nal that  each  guest  is  to  pass  his  cards  to  the  next  one, 
at  the  same  table,  at  his  left.  Two  minutes  more  are 
given  to  write  the  answers  to  the  cards  which  the  guests 
now  hold,  and  then  they  are  again  passed  in  the  same 


EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS.  79 

way.  Each  guest  thus  has  eight  minutes  to  write  the 
answers  for  the  twelve  cards  at  his  table. 

The  cards  are  then  turned  face  down,  and  those  sitting 
at  Table  No.  10  move  up  to  Table  No.  9,  those  at  No. 
9  up  to  Table  No.  8  and  so  on,  those  at  Table  No.  i 
coming  back  to  Table  No.  10. 

The  guests  then  take  new  cards  from  the  centre  of 
the  table  and  sign  their  names  before  beginning,  the 
object  being  to  avoid  forgetting  to  sign  their  names,  as 
would  be  apt  to  be  the  case  if  their  names  were  not 
written  until  after  all  of  the  answers  had  been  put 
down. 

It  will  be  seen  that,  aside  from  the  time  necessary  to 
change  from  table  to  table,  it  will  require  eighty  minutes 
for  each  guest  to  write  the  answers  to  the  one  hundred 
and  twenty  different  cards. 

These  cards  should  then  be  collected  and  assorted  by 
tables,  and  the  answers  checked  over  to  see  who  has 
given  the  greatest  number  of  correct  answers. 

It  will  also  be  noticed  that  on  the  basis  of  the  above 
number  of  tables,  it  will  require  four  hundred  and  eighty 
small  cards  to  carry  out  the  entire  programme. 

The  following  partial  list  of  well-known  poets,  inven- 
tors and  women  may  be  of  use  :  — 


Edmund  Spenser. 

Alfred  Austin. 

Eugene  Field.  9 

James  Whitcomb  Riley.  10. 

Robert  Browning.  11 

J.  G.  Whittier.  12 


Robert  Bums. 
James  Russell  Lowell. 
William  Cullen  Bryant. 
Walt  Whitman. 
William  Wordsworth. 
Lord  Tennyson. 


8o 


EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS. 


INVENTORS. 


Cyrus  McCormick. 
Thomas  A.  Edison. 
George  H.  Corliss. 
Prof.  Alexander  G.  Bell. 
Howard  A.  Harvey. 
Nikola  Tesla. 


7.  Prof.  Eli  Thompson. 

8.  Capt.  John  Ericsson. 

9.  Samuel  Colt. 
ID.  S.  F.  B.  Morse. 

11.  Elias  Howe. 

12.  Erastus  B.  Bigelow. 


Susan  B.  Anthony. 
Elizabeth  C.  Stanton. 
Frances  E.  Willard. 
Lady  Henry  Somerset. 
Rosa  Bonheur. 
Mrs.  Potter  Palmer. 


Helen  Hunt  Jackson. 
Mary  A.  Livermore. 
Clara  Barton. 
Florence  Nightingale. 
Elizabeth  S.  Phelps. 
Lady  Aberdeen. 


A  Twisted  Social. 

Notes  of  invitation  should  be  twisted  into  fancy 
shapes,  instead  of  being  inserted  in  envelopes.  They 
should  give  no  indication  of  the  evening's  programme, 
beyond  the  mere  fact  that  it  is  to  be  a  twisted  social. 

Festoon  long  paper  ribbons  of  different  colors  about 
the  room,  in  as  many  "  twists  "  as  possible,  have  the  cur- 
tains and  draperies  arranged  with  a  twisted  effect,  and 
a  large  card  hung  up  in  a  conspicuous  place,  bearing 
the  words,  "  All  Kinds  of  Twisting  and  Turning  Done 
Here."  Place  the  chairs  in  a  circle,  with  each  alternate 
one  turned  in  the  opposite  direction,  and  play  the  game 
of  "  scandal,"  or  a  similar  one,  requiring  each  to  whis- 
per something  to  his  neighbor.  The  backs  of  the 
chairs  forming  the  line  of  the  circle,  there  will  be  con- 
siderable  twisting   and   turning  of  heads  as  the  game 


EIGHTY  FLEAS  ANT  EVENINGS.  8 1 

goes  on.  Follow  this  with  two  tests,  one  of  pronuncia- 
tion, the  other  of  memory. 

The  first,  or  "  tongue  twister,"  may  be  a  sentence,  or 
brief  conversation,  such  as  the  following  :  "  Ay,  we  hae 
Wei-hae-wei."  "  Hae  we  ?  "  "  Ay,  we  hae."  The  cele- 
brated Peter  Piper,  with  his  "  peck  of  pickled  peppers," 
may  be  added,  and  any  others  desired,  each  "  tongue- 
twister  "  going  the  rounds.  To  pronounce  it  three  times 
in  succession,  with  great  rapidity  and  without  a  mistake, 
is  the  aim. 

The  "memory-twister"  is  somewhat  similar,  but  in 
this  the  rapidity  is  dispensed  with.  A  list  of  sentences 
being  prepared,  the  leader  pronounces  the  first  one 
slowly  and  distinctly.  Each  player  pronounces  it  in 
turn.  The  leader  then  repeats  it  also,  adding  the  second 
one  to  it.  When  this  combination  has  gone  the  rounds, 
the  leader  takes  the  first,  second,  and  third  sentences ; 
and  so  on  uMil  the  whole  list  has  been  given.  As  each 
person  drops  out  of  the  game  with  his  first  lapse  of 
memory,  the  player  continuing  to  the  end  of  the  list, 
or  coming  nearest  to  it  without  a  mistake,  wins  the 
game.  Here  is  a  list  suggested  ;  we  do  not  know  its 
original  source :  — 

One  old  ostrich  ordering  oranges. 

Two  timid  toads  trying  to  trot  to  Tarrytown. 

Three  terrible,  thumping  tigers  tickling  trout. 

Four  fat  friars  fanning  flickering  flames. 

Five  frivolous  foreigners  fleeing  from  fabulous  furies. 

Six  Scottish  soldiers  successively  shooting  snipe. 

Seven  serious  Southerners  setting  sail  from  Switzer- 
land. 

Eight  eager  emigrants  earnestly  examining  elements. 


82  EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS. 

Nine  nimble  noblemen  nibbling  nuts. 

Ten  tremendous  tomtits  twittering  on  the  tops  of 
three  tall  trees. 

Eleven  enormous  elephants  elegantly  eating  Easter 
eggs. 

Twelve  tired  tailors  thoughtfully  twisting  twine. 

Or  another  one,  wituout  the  aid  of  alliteration :  — 

A  good  fat  hen. 

Two  ducks. 

Three  plump  partridges. 

Four  squawking  wild  geese. 

Five  hundred  Limerick  oysters. 

Six  pairs  of  Don  Alphonso's  tweezers. 

Seven  hundred  Macedonian  horsemen,  rank  and  file 
drawn  up  in  order  of  battle. 

Eight  cages  of  He,  Hi,  Ho,  bibulous  sparrow  kites. 

Nine  floating  fly-boats  floating  from  Fort  Manilus  to 
Damascus,  laden  with  flowers  and  fruit. 

Ten  diacaustic,  dogmatic,  diathetic,  parallel  proposi- 
tions proposed  to  be  received  by  all  mankind. 

A  question  match,  the  game  of  telegrams,  conun- 
drums, or  any  intellectual  game  may  be  introduced  as  a 
"brain-twister."  If  rewards  are  given,  they  may  be  of 
basket-work,  wire,  or  other  material  woven  into  some 
pretty  trifle  of  twisted  form ;  and  the  booby  prize  may 
be  a  stick  of  twisted  candy. 

A  short  programme  may  include  the  reading  of  "  An 
Unfortunate  Trellis,"  from  "  Platform  Pearls  "  ;  the  song 
"  Twisting  and  Turning,"  often  rendered  by  the  Silver 
Lake  Quartette  ;  and  a  bright  address  by  the  pastor  or 
some  leading  temperance  worker,  on  "  Twisted  Con- 
sciences."    Serve   refreshments   of   twisted   cakes   and 


EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS.  83 

lemonade,  in  glasses  with  a  spiral  pattern,  if  convenient ; 
and  the  paper  napkins  should  be  folded  in  a  twisted 
form.  L.  M.  H. 

A  Eugene  Field  Evening. 

(For  the  Juniors.) 

The  following  programme  has  been  found  success- 
ful:— 

Piano  Solo. 

Sketch  of  the  life  and  )ATitings  of  Eugene  Field. 
Recitation.     "  The  Rock-a-by  Lady." 
Recitation.     "  Booh  !  " 
Recitation.     "  Picnic  Time." 
Violin  Solo  or  vocal  solo  by  a  Junior. 
Recitation.     "  So,  So,  Rock-a-by  So." 
Recitation.     "  Googly  Goo." 
Recitation.     "  The  Ride  to  Bumpville." 
Recitation/    "  The  Cunnin'  Little  Thing." 
Music. 

The  sketch  of  Eugene  Field's  life  may  be  found  in 
McChire's  Magazine  for  January,  1896.  All  of  the 
poems  are  in  the  collection  entitied  "  Love  Songs  of 
Childhood,"  by  Eugene  Field.  B.  H.  M. 

A  Marine  Social* 

Drape  the  walls  with  blue-green,  to  suggest  a  back- 
ground the  color  of  the  sea.  Cover  a  table  with  the 
same  color,  and  on  it  place  a  collection  of  odd  shells, 
bits  of  coral,  and  other  sea-beach  or  submarine  curios. 
Music  may  include  a  cornet  or  violin  solo  ;  "  Rocked  in 
the    Cradle   of  the    Deep,"   with  variations,  would   be 


84  EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS. 

effective.  "  Sailing,"  or  similar  songs,  may  be  added, 
and  a  poem  or  two  like  the  "  Chambered  Nautilus." 
Two  or  three  brief  papers  or  talks  on  such  subjects  as 
"  Father  Ocean's  Treasures,"  "  Ships  of  the  Twentieth 
Century,"  "  A  Submarine  Voyage,"  etc.,  may  be  made 
interesting,  interspersed  with  as  many  appropriate  songs 
and  recitations.  Especially  charming  is  the  motion  song, 
"  Little  Wavelets,"  for  which  you  would  need  to  enlist 
half  a  dozen  or  more  of  the  little  girls  from  the  Sunday 
school  primary  class,  unless  the  Juniors  are  small  enough. 
They  must  wear  little  white  caps,  which  should  be 
made  alike,  if  possible  ;  and,  if  sea-green  cambric  dresses 
could  be  provided  also,  the  effect  of  the  rippling  wave- 
lets, with  their  white  caps,  would  be  heightened. 

Following  are  the  words  of  the  song ;  we  do  not 
know  its  origin.  The  music  can  be  procured  at  the 
kindergarten  supply  stores,  or  would  doubtless  be  famil- 
iar to  almost  any  kindergarten  teacher. 

LITTLE    WAVELETS. 

Once  I  got  into  a  boat  — 

Such  a  pretty,  pretty  boat,  — 
Just  as  the  day  was  dawning ; 

And  I  took  a  little  oar, 

And  I  rowed  away  from  shore, 
So  very,  very  early  in  the  morning. 


And  every  little  wavelet 

had  its  nightcap  on, 

Its  nightcap,  white  cap, 
nightcap  on, 


EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS.  85 

And  every  little  wavelet 

had  its  nightcap  on 
So  very,  very  early  in  the  morning. 

In  their  cave  so  cool  and  deep 

All  the  fishes  were  asleep 
Save  when  the  ripple  gave  them  warning. 

Said  the  minnow  to  the  skate, 

"  Do  not  lie  abed  so  late," 
So  very,  very  early  in  the  morning.  —  Cho. 

Said  the  sturgeon  to  the  eel, 

"  Just  imagine  how  I  feel. 
Pray  do  excuse  me  for  yawning. 

But  these  folks  should  let  us  know 

When  a-rowing  they  would  go 
So  very,  very  early  in  the  morning."  —  Cho. 

The  boys  might  give  some  sailors'  chorus  in  nautical 
costume.  If  it  is  desired  to  introduce  temperance  fea- 
tures, have  for  one  of  the  recitations  "  Sail  on,"  or  Lide 
Merriwether's  poem,  "  She  Sails  by  the  Stars."  These 
should  be  rendered  by  a  good  elocutionist,  secured  by  the 
temperance  committee.  Scriptural  and  poetical  quota- 
tions on  the  subject  of  the  sea,  written  on  slips  of 
paper  each  glued  to  a  poli.shed  shell,  may  be  used,  by 
their  numbers  or  other  indicating  mark,  to  arrange  part- 
ners for  refreshments  and  conversation,  and  the  shells 
may  be  kept  as  souvenirs.  Clams,  oysters,  or  other 
food  from  the  sea  should  be  served.  This  social  may  be 
made  an  occasion  for  interesting  people  in  the  society's 
work  in  behalf  of  sailors,  and  a  collection  may  be  taken 
for  that  object.  L.  m.  h. 


86  EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS. 

A  Qiautauqua  Lawn  SociaL 

(French-Greek  Year.) 

"  The  lawn  was  illuminated  with  Chinese  lanterns, 
and  at  one  end  a  large  awning  was  erected,  under  which 
supper  was  served.  The  tables  were  set  in  the  form  of 
a  cross,  and  at  each  plate,  as  a  souvenir  of  the  occasion, 
was  an  artistically  engraved  card  bearing  the  following 
inscription:  'Athena  Circle,  French-Greek  Year,  1896- 
97 ' ;  and  on  the  upper  left-hand  corner  the  monogram 
'  C.  L.  S.  C.,'  with  a  Greek  cross  below  it  in  raised  gilt 
letters  embellished  with  French  and  Greek  colors.  About 
9.30  the  company  repaired  to  the  house,  where  a  short 
literary  programme  completed  the  evening.  In  the 
house  the  floral  decorations  were  elaborate,  every  avail- 
able place  being  heavily  banked  with  ferns  and  French 
honeysuckles  of  pink  and  white.  The  floral  centrepiece 
for  the  table  was  composed  of  maidenhair  ferns,  white 
French  honeysuckles,  and  beautiful  '  meteor '  roses.  The 
studies  of  the  year  were  suggested  by  the  French  tri- 
color and  the  Greek  flag,  which  kept  company  with  the 
Stars  and  Stripes  on  the  wall ;  and  the  souvenirs  of  the 
evening  were  France  and  Greece  cut  out  of  transparent 
celluloid,  a  crescent  and  a  star,  representing  the  study 
of  the  sky,  these  three  tied  with  white,  green,  and  pink. 
Name  cards  gave  the  guests  their  places  at  table ;  and 
under  them  were  cards  with  C.  L.  S,  C.  grace,  which 
was  chanted  by  the  circle."  —  The  Chautauquan  for 
October,  1897, 


EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS.  8/ 

A  State  Social. 

"  The  AfiHfiesota  Endeavorer  suggests  a  Minnesota 
evening.  The  lady's-slipper,  the  State  flower,  is  to  form 
a  prominent  part  in  the  decorations,  or,  after  harvest, 
they  will  use  the  grains  of  Minnesota.  Pictures  of  old 
settlers  and  prominent  men  in  the  State  history  will 
appear  about  the  room.  The  programme  will  consist  of 
a  sketch  of  the  history  of  Minnesota,  a  sketch  of  its 
resources,  industries,  and  prospects ;  readings  from  Long- 
fellow's 'Hiawatha';  tableaux  representing  the  State 
seal,  the  farming  industry,  and  milling,  or  anything  else 
of  State  interest;  while  for  refreshments  they  will  have 
something  distinctive  of  the  State,  such  as  all-wheat 
bread  and  butter.  A  State  social  thus  planned  could 
be  held  by  the  Endeavorers  of  any  State.  The  authors 
of  the  State  should  be  well  represented  on  the  pro- 
gramme, as  well  as  the  State  history,  and  local  inge- 
nuity can  be  counted  on  to  make  an  exceedingly  pleasant 
as  well  as  profitable  evening."  —  The  Golden  Rule. 

A  Proverb  SociaL 

"  Sliced  proverbs  "  are  prepared,  each  slip  of  paper 
containing  a  proverb  being  cut  into  three  or  four  pieces. 
These  are  divided  among  the  guests  as  they  arrive,  with 
instructions  to  find  the  persons  holding  the  rest  of  the 
proverb. 

The  groups  thus  formed,  holding  a  complete  proverb, 
begin  at  a  given  signal  to  write  lists  of  proverbs  from 
memory.  At  the  end  of  twenty  minutes  have  the  lists 
read    aloud.      To  the  group  having  the  longest  list  is 


88  EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS. 

given  a  home-made  calendar  consisting  of  twelve  card- 
board sheets.  On  each  is  a  pencil  drawing  appropriate 
to  the  month ;  as,  for  instance,  a  bunch  of  pussy-willow 
blossoms  for  March,  each  "pussy"  being  a  tiny  cat. 
The  rest  of  the  sheet  is  filled  with  a  collection  of  the 
proverbs  printed  in  The  Christian  Endeavor  Worlds 
one  for  each  day  of  the  month.  The  whole  calendar 
is  tied  together  with  ribbons.  The  winning  group 
decides  which  of  their  number  should  receive  the 
calendar. 

While  the  judges  are  making  their  decision  in  this 
contest,  readings  relating  to  proverbs  may  be  given. 
These  may  be  obtained  from  files  of  The  Christian 
Endeavor  World,  such  as  the  articles,  "  Caleb  Cobweb 
Reviews  Some  Proverbs,"  "  Braggin'  on  Aiggs,"  "  Tell- 
ing Lies  on  the  Devil." 

Next  may  come  the  game  of  shouting  proverbs, 
and  the  entertainment  may  be  closed  with  shadow 
pictures  illustrating  proverbs,  and  proverb  charades. 
This  entertaining  social  was  originated  by  the  Baptist 
Young  People's  Union  of  Christian  Endeavor  of  Ap- 
pleton,  Wis, 

A  Spring  Tour. 

Arrange  the  room  to  resemble  a  railroad  train,  seat 
the  "  passengers "  accordingly,  and  toward  the  close 
have  a  train-boy  pass  through  with  basket  of  refresh- 
ments, consisting  of  apples,  pop-corn,  and  peanuts.  An- 
other may  carry  the  lemonade.  As  each  tourist  enters, 
he  is  supplied  with  a  "  ticket,"  of  which  the  following 
will  indicate  the  nature  :  — 


EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS.  89 

Young  People's  Society  of 
Christian  Endeavor,  Reformed  Church,  Port  Richmond. 

Spring  Tour. 
Good  for  one  passage  from 
PORT  RICHMOND  to  ST.  AUGUSTINE  and  return  via 
NEW  ORLEANS 
and  the  places  described  below. 

Please  read  carefully  rules  printed  on  back  of 
this  ticket,  under  which  the  tour  is  conducted. 

Description  of  places  :  — 

1.  Uncooked,  to  tilt  the  scales. 

2.  A  festive   gathering,  part   of   man's  attire,  Oliver's 

desire. 

3.  Monday's  occupation,  a  weight. 

4.  Opposite  of  belle,  a  defence. 

5.  Part  of  a  head-covering,  a  relation. 

6.  One  of  the  church  fathers. 

7.  A  tumultuous  crowd,  water  all  around. 

8.  Not  old,  a  royal  house  of  France. 

9.  An  explosion  of  mirth,  forever,  the  end  of  Lafayette. 
ID.  A  royal  weight. 

11.  A  place  for  loiterers. 

12.  An  opera  encore. 

The  above  is  merely  a  sample  list ;  others  may  be 
added,  and  the  different  tickets  may  contain  either  a 
greater  or  less  number,  each  ticket  including  some  of 
the  same  places  visited  by  other  "tourists,"  only  in  dif- 
ferent order.  The  places  here  described  are  Rahway, 
Baltimore,  Washington,  Beaufort,  Tampa,  St.  Augustine, 
Mobile,  New  Orleans,  Lafayette,  Kingston,  Tarrytown, 
Sing  Sing. 


90  EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS. 

"  RULES. 

"  Tourists  will  have  thirty  minutes  for  filling  in  the  names 
of  places  visited.  In  so  doing,  passengers  are  allowed  to 
consult  with  other  tourists  in  their  car.  Only  eighty-four 
trunks  allowed  each  tourist.  Society's  responsibility  for 
trunks  Umited  to  $ioo.  The  managers  cannot  be  held  respon- 
sible for  alpaca  umbrellas  left  in  car  by  tourists,  unless  they 
are  left  in  care  of  the  porter,  wiio  is  a  villain  and  deserves  no 
'  quarter.'  The  brakemen  have  been  taking  special  instruc- 
tion at  a  school  of  oratory,  but  the  managers  cannot  be  held 
responsible  if  they  cannot  be  understood.  The  conductor 
has  promised  to  put  on  a  clean  white  tie  every  morning,  but 
the  managers  cannot  enforce  this.  The  engineers  are  all  com- 
petent men,  but  cannot  be  held  responsible  for  the  tossing  of 
strolling  cows  or  wet  tracks,  and  it  is  urged  that  all  tourists 
take  along  a  plentiful  supply  of  '  sand '  for  emergencies." 

Klondike  Social,  No.  2, 

This  would  combine  well  with  a  short  business 
meeting,  especially  in  warm  weather. 

With  the  help  of  a  large  map,  have  an  appointed 
"guide,"  in  a  paper  or  talk,  conduct  the  company  on 
an  imaginary  tour  to  the  Klondike,  not  forgetting  to 
mention  several  remarkable  exploits  and  ludicrous  mis- 
haps of  individuals  present,  as  the  journey  proceeds. 
Or  the  "  Klondike  "  referred  to  may  represent  the 
society's  goal  of  highest  success  and  prosperity,  and 
the  route  described  may  include  the  various  lines  of 
endeavor  by  which  it  is  to  reach  this  goal.  Prepare  a 
list  of  short  practical  hints  for  committee  work,  some 
gathered  from  77^.?  Union  Signal,  The  Christian  En- 
deavor  World,  etc.,  others  original ;  but  let  them   be 


EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS.  9 1 

new  ones  so  far  as  your  society  is  concerned.  If  these 
are  not  used  in  connection  with  the  map,  write  them 
separately  on  bits  of  paper,  which  are  then  twisted  up 
and  hidden,  to  be  searched  for  by  all  present  as 
"  nuggets."  The  one  finding  the  most  nuggets  is  de- 
clared king  of  the  Klondike.  The  suggestions  should 
be  preserved  for  full  consideration  at  the  next  business 
meeting,  if  time  does  not  permit  it  at  this. 

A  paper  or  talk  on  gold-mining,  a  mining-camp  story 
or  poem,  and  two  or  three  musical  selections,  with  the 
serving  of  ices,  will  complete  an  enjoyable  evening. 

L.  M.  H. 

A  "  Due  Tea.*^ 

The  Young  Woman's  Christian  Temperance  Unions 
have  found  this  a  pleasant  and  successful  method  of 
accomplishing  what  is  sometimes  a  dreaded  task,  —  the 
collection  of  dues  from  the  members.  We  take  the 
central  idea  from  an  explanation  kindly  given  us  by 
Mrs.  Ella  C.  Bryant,  president  of  a  "  Y  "  at  Pittsfield, 
Mass. 

A  short  programme  similar  to  the  following  may  be 
rendered :  — 

1.  Mi4sic.     Piano  and  violin  duet. 

2.  Reading.      Selected   from    The    Voice   or    The    Union 

Signal. 

3.  Recitation.     From  "  Platform  Pearls." 

4.  Music.     Selection  from  "  Y  "  Song-Book. 

5.  Debate.     "  Resolved,  That  the  Young  Woman's  Chris- 

tian   Temperance    Union  is  a  Disturber  of  the 
Peace." 

6.  "  Treasurer's  Delight."     This  consists  of  the  brief  but 

impressive  ceremony  of  recei\ing  dues. 


92  EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS. 

Games  may  follow,  such  as  "  missionary  and  canni- 
bal," as  given  in  the  "paper  social";  "garden  of 
Ceres,"  in  the  "  evening  with  Ceres  "  ;  or  "  progressive 
spelling,"  explained  by  The  Golden  Rule  as  follows :  — 

"  To  play  progressive  spelling,  form  a  line  and  let  the 
person  at  the  head  think  of  a  word,  and  announce  the 
first  letter  of  the  word.  The  person  next  to  him,  think- 
ing of  a  word  beginning  with  the  same  letter,  announces 
the  second  letter  of  that  word.  The  third  player,  think- 
ing of  a  word  beginning  with  the  two  letters  already 
given,  announces  the  third  letter  of  that  word,  and  so  it 
goes  on  until  some  one,  by  chance  or  on  compulsion, 
completes  the  word.  In  that  case  he  must  go  to  the 
foot  of  the  row,  and  his  neighbor  must  begin  a  new 
series.  To  make  this  clear,  suppose  the  leader  begins 
with  C,  thinking  of  'cat.'  'H,'  adds  his  neighbor, 
thinking  of  'church.'  'I,'  adds  the  third  player,  think- 
ing of  '  chisel.'  '  C,'  continues  the  fourth  player,  thinking 
of  '  chicken.'  '  A,'  says  the  fifth  player,  thinking  of 
'  chicanery.'  If  the  sixth  player  does  not  think  of  this 
word,  '  chicanery,'  or  of  any  other  word  beginning  with 
the  five  letters  already  given,  he  must  go  to  the  foot, 
and  his  neighbor  takes  his  chance.  If  any  one  adds  a 
letter  without  having  in  his  mind  a  word  in  which  the 
letter  fits,  he  may,  on  being  suspected,  be  challenged  by 
some  of  the  players  and  sent  to  the  foot.  In  case,  how- 
ever, the  challenge  is  based  on  a  false  suspicion,  and 
the  letter  is  found  to  fit  into  some  word,  then  the 
challenger  goes  to  the  foot. 

"  An  interesting  variety  of  this  game  is  to  arrange 
the  players  in  two  rows  facing  each  other,  the  spelling 
proceeding  back   and  forth.     In  this  case  the  player 


EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS.  93 

who  would,  in  the  first  form  of  the  game,  go  to  the  foot, 
passes  to  the  other  side,  and  the  game  proceeds  until 
one  side  is  entirely  depleted." 

Serve  light  refreshments,  and  close  the  evening  with 
another  selection  from  the  "  Y  "  song-book. 


A  Rose  Social. 

Let  this  be  held  in  June,  and  be  made  an  occasion 
for  giving  pleasure  to  some  who  do  not  often  have  the 
enjoyment  of  either  socials  or  flowers.  Missionary  and 
temperance  features  may  be  easily  introduced  in  the 
exercises.  Roses  in  profusion  form  the  decorations, 
and  the  programme  should  consist  of  songs,  recitations, 
readings,  etc.,  all  suggestive  of  the  flower.  In  Miss 
Alcott's  books  may  be  found  several  selections  charming 
for  such  an-  occasion.  "  Little  Button  Rose,"  already 
mentioned  in  connection  with  the  button  social ;  ex- 
tracts from  "  Eight  Cousins,"  "  Rose  in  Bloom,"  or 
"The  Rose  Family"  in  "Morning-Glories,"  —  any  of 
these  would  be  pleasing  to  most  tastes. 

Or,  instead  of  the  readings,  have  six  or  eight  mem- 
bers of  the  society,  representing  as  many  different 
varieties  of  the  rose,  each  give  an  original  account  of 
the  garden  in  which  that  rose  was  supposed  to  grow, 
with  some  imaginary  incidents  forming  a  short  story. 
The  Young  Woman's  Christian  Temperance  Union  in 
particular  will  recognize  the  temperance  possibilities 
in  this  series  of  anecdotes.  Let  the  audience  decide 
by  vote  on  the  best  description  or  story  thus  given,  the 
winner  to  receive  some  dainty  trifle  shaped  like  a  rose, 
or  suggestive  of  roses  in  art  or  literature. 


94  EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS. 

"  Conversational  rose-leaves "  may  then  be  intro- 
duced. Topics  are  prepared  on  sheets  of  note-paper, 
as  for  the  Washington's  Birthday  social,  only  decorated 
with  roses  instead  of  flags,  the  exercises  being  con- 
ducted in  the  same  way ;  or  another  method  which 
might  be  substituted  is  to  pass  to  each  guest,  a  few 
minutes  before  servi.-'g  the  refreshments,  a  pale  pink, 
white,  or  yellow  paper  napkin,  twisted  into  the  resem- 
blance of  a  rose,  and  containing  in  its  depths  a  slip  of 
paper  on  which  is  written  a  witty  or  wise  saying.  Have 
these  prepared  four  alike,  or  four  by  each  author  thus 
quoted,  giving  the  author's  name.  The  holders  of  these 
related  quotations  get  together,  and  discuss  the  subject 
or  the  author.  Fifteen  minutes  are  given  to  this  part  of 
the  evening,  during  which  time  cake  and  ice-cream  are 
served.  A  rose  is  given  to  each  guest  when  departing; 
and  the  remaining  unwilted  roses  may  be  placed  in 
water  or  packed  in  damp  cotton  to  be  sent  early  the 
next  day  to  some  hospital  or  charitable  institution. 

L.  M.  H. 

An  Evening  in  Holland. 

"  The  Lowell  Club  of  Boone,  lo.,  celebrated  its  first 
meeting  in  a  unique  and  fitting  manner  at  the  home  of 
one  of  the  members.  In  accordance  with  their  study  of 
Holland,  the  hostess  transformed  her  house  into  a  veri- 
table Dutch  dwelling;  the  walls  were  festooned  with 
red  peppers,  corn,  dried  apples,  etc.,  while  the  spinning- 
wheel,  old-fashioned  chairs,  and  blue-bordered  china 
plates  ranged  in  rows  on  the  shelves  fitted  in  very  appro- 
priately;   none  but   Dutch    dishes  were    served   at  the 


EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS.  95 

supper,  after  which  the  hostess  presented  each  guest 
with  a  delft  cup  and  saucer.  The  Dutch  costumes 
worn  by  the  ladies  were  much  admired."  —  The  Chatttaii- 
quan  for  January,  1897. 

A  Missionary  Social. 

This  combines  two  suggestions  from  The  Golden 
Rule. 

Place  tables  about  the  room,  containing  prettily  ar- 
ranged representations  of  the  various  countries  in  which 
your  denomination  has  missions.  For  example,  one 
table  may  bear  a  china  tea-set,  standing  for  China ; 
another,  various  articles  of  India-rubber,  and  a  bottle  of 
India  ink ;  and  another,  cards  bearing  the  following  six 
mysterious  signs :  — 


This  represents  "  Mexico."  Each  visitor  must  be 
provided  with  a  pencil  and  paper,  and  write  the  names 
as  fast  as  he  guesses  them.  Follow  this  with  a  "  mission- 
ary salad,"  as  tried  by  the  First  Congregational  Chris- 
tian Endeavor  Society  at  Albany.  Prepare  the  leaves 
of  green  tissue-paper  crumpled  to  resemble  lettuce, 
fastening  a  long  stem  of  common  white  paper  to  each 
leaf.  These  stems  contain  printed  items  clipped  from 
The  Golden  Rule  and  other  papers,  interesting  mission- 
ary information  from  all  parts  of  the  world.  During 
the  singing  of  the  first  hymn  this  salad  is  passed  around, 
and  every  one  is  expected  to  take  a  leaf,  and  afterward  to 
read  its  contents.  Cake  and  chocolate  may  be  served, 
and  the  evening  closed  with  music. 


96  EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS. 

A  Boston-Suburb  Social  or  a  Longfellow  Evening. 

The  social  committee  of  the  Deems  Memorial  Society 
of  Christian  Endeavor  recently  prepared  a  programme 
for  a  "  Longfellow  evening  "  with  a  few  novel  features. 
The  social  was  announced  as  a  "  Boston-suburb  social." 
This  name  was  given  because  of  the  fact  that  Longfel- 
low's home  was  at  Cambridge. 

Cards  were  prepared  on  which  were  pasted  quotations 
from  Longfellow's  writings,  the  selections  being  cut 
from  a  "  Longfellow  Birthday  Book."  The  advantage 
in  using  the  "  Birthday  Book  "  in  preference  to  a  book 
of  Longfellow's  poems  is  that  the  name  of  the  poem 
from  which  each  quotation  is  taken  is  given  in  each  case. 

After  these  quotations  were  pasted  on,  the  cards.were 
cut  from  top  to  bottom  and  then  mixed.  These  half- 
cards  were  then  distributed  among  the  guests. 

The  cards  had  been  so  prepared  that,  when  they 
were  cut  in  two,  each  half  of  a  card  contained  a  printed 
statement  at  the  top,  indicating  the  nature  of  the  en- 
tertainment, and  a  statement  to  the  effect  that  the  holder 
of  the  other  half  of  the  quotation  was  in  the  room,  the 
idea  being  to  have  the  holders  of  the  different  parts  of 
the  same  quotation  find  each  other,  and  in  this  way 
make  the  affair  one  of  sociability. 

On  the  reverse  side  of  the  cards  were  twenty  lines 
numbered  from  one  to  twenty  inclusive.  After  all  of 
the  cards  had  been  matched,  twenty  selections  from 
Longfellow's  poems  were  read,  and  the  guests  present 
were  asked  to  write  on  their  respective  cards  the  names 
of  the  poems  from  which  the  particular  selections  read 
had  been  taken. 


EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS.  9/ 

After  the  twenty  selections  had  been  read,  the  names 
of  the  poems  from  which  they  were  taken  were  an- 
nounced, and  suitable  rewards  given  to  the  gentleman  and 
the  lady  having  the  greatest  number  of  correct  answers. 
To  the  lady  was  given  a  copy  of  Longfellow's  poems  and 
to  the  gentleman  "  Scottish  Chiefs,"  by  Jane  Porter. 

A  programme  had  also  been  arranged  consisting  of  a 
paper  giving  a  sketch  of  the  life  of  the  poet.  Two  or 
three  of  Longfellow's  poems  were  also  recited,  and  the 
music  consisted  of  singing,  two  selections  from  Longfel- 
low being  rendered,  "  The  Bridge  "  and  "  Excelsior." 

The  following  will  illustrate  the  manner  in  which  the 
cards  were  prepared.  It  will  be  noted  that  the  printing 
at  the  top  reads  in  two  ways,  first  as  a  whole,  and 
then  each  half  as  a  complete  statement  by  itself. 

AN   EVENING       WITH    LONGFELLOW 

ON    FRIDAY,  NIGHT    OF   JUNE    lO,    1898, 

WITH  THE 
DEEMS   MEMORIAL 

CHRISTIAN  ENDEAVOR  IMMANUEL    CHURCH, 
SOCIETY   OF 

PROHIBITION    PARK,  WESTERLEIGH,    S.    I. 


To  complete  the  quotation         You  will  be  able  in  this  room  to 
discover  the  holder  of  the  other  half.       Match  your  card  and  read  the 

lines. 


Time  has  laid  his  hand 
Upon  my  heart,  gently,  not  smiting  it, 
But  as  a  harper  lays  his  open  palm 
Upon  his  harp,  to  deaden  its  vibrations. 

—  The  Golden  Legend. 


Please  Keep  This.  Please  Keep  This. 


98  EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS. 

A  Belated  Picnic 

(Held  by  the  Y.  W.  C.  T.  U.) 

"Our  little  Watertown  Y  had  long  been  discussing 
the  best  method  of  interesting  the  young  people  in  our 
circle  of  endeavor,  iviiss  Caswell  would  be  glad  to 
present  to  them  the  what,  the  how,  and  the  why,  if  they 
could  only  be  brought  together,  '  A  belated  picnic ' 
was  selected  as  a  unique  and  attractive  entertainment, 
and  such  it  proved  to  be. 

"  Some  two  weeks  previous  to  the  evening  of  the 
social,  brown-paper  invitations  were  distributed  as  widely 
as  possible.  The  first  page  bore  the  address ;  the  second, 
'  Summer  Attire,'  and  on  the  girls',  '  Luncheon  for  Two  '; 
while  on  the  third  page  was  written  the  invitation. 

"Just  outside  the  door  of  the  Baptist  vestry  was  a 
large  sign  reading,  'Picnic  Grounds  —  8  to  lo.'  The 
lunch-baskets  were  numbered,  and  so  were  the  young 
men;  hence,  when  a  girl  came  to  claim  her  basket  at 
luncheon-time,  she  also  found  a  young  man. 

"  Little  placards  and  signs  were  posted  about  the 
room,  directing  one  to  the  '  Bowling  Alley,'  a  diminutive 
set  of  ninepins;  to  the  '  .Shooting  Gallery,'  where  a 
rubber-tipped  arrow  did  duty ;  to  the  '  Croquet  Grounds ' 
consisting  of  a  parlor  set  of  croquet ;  and  to  the  '  Picture 
Gallery.'  A  tent  had  been  erected  in  one  corner,  where 
a  sibyl  told  the  fortunes  of  the  many  who  longed  for  a 
glance  into  the  future.  Evergreen  boughs  and  trees, 
and  a  well  of  lemonade,  made  of  a  wash-tub,  and  ever- 
green trimmings,  gave  quite  a  picnic-like  appearance  to 
the  place.     A   large  white  Y  hung  just  back  of  Miss 


EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS.  99 

Caswell  as  in  a  few  earnest  words  she  presented   the 
work  of  the  Y. 

"  One  by  one  the  lights  went  out,  and,  as  night  drew 
on,  the  picnickers  departed  for  home,  declaring  the  Y 
social  a  great  success.  And  such  we  considered  it  as 
we  read  the  list  of  names  to  be  taken  into  our  Union  at 
its  next  meeting."  A  Watertown  Y. 

A  Spinning  Social. 

Open  the  evening  with  music,  preferably  a  "  spinning- 
song  "  piano  selection.  A  poem,  such  as  Miss  Wray's 
"  Three  Fates,"  may  be  read,  also  one  of  Miss  Alcott's 
"  Spinning-Wheel  Stories."  The  parlor  or  library  should 
contain  a  spinning-wheel,  with  all  the  accessories.  Try 
to  enlist  an  obliging  grandma  to  show  exactly  how  it 
was  used  in  her  childhood.  If  this  is  out  of  the  ques- 
tion, have  the  best  possible  imitation  by  some  bright 
young  lady  or  small  girl  in  costume.  All  present  may 
try  their  skill  on  the  busy  wheel,  the  most  successful 
receiving  a  reward,  which  may  be  a  miniature  spinning- 
wheel,  a  copy  of  Miss  Alcott's  book  above  mentioned, 
or  some  pretty  article  of  silk  or  china,  decorated  with 
a  hand-painted  spinning-wheel. 

An  essay  or  talk  on  "  Spiders  as  Architects  "  may  be 
given.  A  succession  of  "  yarns  "  may  be  spun,  in  which 
the  one  relating  the  most  improbable  story  is  honored 
with  the  title  of  "  fibmaster-general."  Skeins  of  yarn 
may  be  used  to  arrange  partners  for  refreshments,  one 
end  being  tied  to  a  lady's  sleeve,  the  other  being  given, 
by  a  circuitous  route,  to  a  gentleman,  who  must  wind 
his  way  to  the  goal. 


lOO         EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS. 

Close  the  evening  with  simple  refreshments  and  music. 
Each  guest  might  carry  home  as  a  memento  a  piece  of 
the  yarn,  wound  on  a  small,  appropriately  decorated  card, 
or  on  a  spool  with  the  date  on  one  end  and  a  spinning- 
wheel  on  the  other.  L.  m.  h. 

A  Hidden  Musicale. 

Each  guest  is  furnished  with  a  copy,  tj^ewritten  if 
convenient,  of  a  list  of  sentences,  each  containing  the  con- 
cealed name  of  some  musical  composer.  The  Voice  pub- 
lishes the  following  list,  which  we  give  as  suggestive :  — 

1.  My  thum(^  ach&%  where  I  crushed  it. 

2.  O  sweet  music  t.ver  div'vsxt ! 

3.  The  sting  of  the  bee^  tho  7/^«omous,  is  never  fatal. 

4.  At  parting  he  extended  a  hand  ^/egantly  gloved. 

5.  They  weigh  with  such  weights  as  drach;«,  oz., 
—  ar/icles  used  by  druggists. 

6.  The  fright  has  made  his  head  wag  w^rvously. 

7.  It  seems  to  me  that  ^2.ch  opmxon  is  worthy  con- 
sideration. 

8.  The  cowboy  tried  to  \2lsso  us  around  the  neck. 

9.  He  is  fickle.     He  adopts  aj  chum  a  «ew  person 
every  week. 

10.  I  could  not  sell  the  hal/  lot,  ow'm.g  to  the  mort- 
gage on  it. 

1 1.  Do  what  you  will,  I  can  no  longer, 

1 2.  This  is  no  rose.     Go,  unodorous  weed  ! 

13.  An  old  negro  who  cutj  her  wood,  carries  coal, 
and  does  gardening. 

14.  The  sons  of  Jonadab,  the  son  of  Rechab,  /ook  no 
wine. 

15.  I  faint!     I  gzs/>  /  Oh,  raise  me  up! 


EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS.  10 1 

A  reward  may  be  given  to  the  one  discovering  the 
greatest  number  of  these  hidden  musicians,  and  a  booby 
prize  to  the  one  finding  the  fewest. 

In  the  game  of  "  dumb  musicians,"  it  is  the  sound  of 
the  music  that  is  "  hidden."     It  is  played  as  follows  :  — 

"  The  company  seat  themselves  in  a  semicircle.  Each 
one  goes  through  the  movements  of  playing  the  instru- 
ment to  which  he  is  assigned  by  the  conductor.  The 
fiddler  bows  with  vigor  over  an  imaginary  violin,  the 
clarinet-player  lengthens  his  face  and  frisks  his  fingers 
on  an  imaginary  instrument,  the  cornet-player  must  sacri- 
fice vanity,  and  puff  out  his  cheeks  to  the  utmost  extent, 
and  the  others  imitate  as  best  they  may  the  remainder  of 
the  instruments  chosen.  The  conductor  seats  himself  on 
a  chair  facing  his  dumb  orchestra.  When  all  is  ready, 
the  conductor  gives  a  signal  and  the  musicians  begin 
their  gesticulations.  The  conductor  himself  pretends  to 
play  the  instrument  which  he  has  chosen  for  himself. 
Suddenly,  without  any  warning,  the  conductor  abandons 
his  own  instrument  and  begins  playing  that  of  some  one 
of  the  other  players.  The  player  whose  instrument  is 
thus  taken  from  him  must  forthwith  begin  to  play  upon 
that  one  which  the  conductor  abandoned.  If  he  fails  to 
observe  the  change,  and  continues  to  play  his  original 
instrument,  he  must  pay  a  forfeit." 

Have  ready  cards  on  which  are  written  the  names  of 
well-known  pieces  of  music,  one  on  each  card.  Cut  each 
in  three  pieces,  and  have  the  holders  of  the  related  frag- 
ments get  together.  Serve  light  refreshments,  and  close 
with  a  short  programme  of  vocal  and  instrumental  music, 
proceeding  from  the  concealed  side  of  a  large  screen, 

L.   M.    H. 


I02         EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS. 
A  Ouutauqua  Evening. 

(German-Roman  Year.) 

This  was  taken  from  a  description  in  77/.?  Chautau- 
qtian  of  a  social  and  literary  evening  given  by  Primrose 
Circle,  Dundas,  Ontario. 

The  house  was  ablaze  with  light,  different  colors  softly 
diffused  by  the  different  colored  lamp-shades.  About 
8.15  the  president  took  the  chair,  and  by  the  time  an 
instrumental  duet  was  played  the  audience  had  settled 
themselves  down  for  the  intellectual  treat  expected. 

They  were  not  disappointed.  The  answers  to  roll-call 
were  given  from  any  German  or  Roman  author,  and 
were  exceptionally  fine,  some  of  the  authors  so  quoted 
being  Luther,  Goethe,  Schiller,  Ovid,  and  Horace.  The 
president's  address  followed,  after  which  two  papers 
were  rendered,  dealing  entirely  with  German  topics; 
one  on  "  German  Women,"  the  other  on  "  Frederick  the 
Great,"  giving  snap-shots  of  that  celebrated  personage 
at  different  periods  of  his  life,  with  historic  scenes  form- 
ing the  background.  A  recitation,  "  Robert  of  Sicily," 
an  address  by  the  vice-president,  two  songs,  and  a  piano 
solo,  completed  the  programme.  A  "circulating  library  " 
of  thirteen  books,  including  the  grave,  the  gay,  the  sub- 
lime, and  the  ridiculous,  was  depicted  by  as  many  mem- 
bers in  appropriate  costume,  the  company  guessing  their 
titles,  and  writing  their  guesses  on  cards,  a  reward  being 
given  to  the  most  successful.  Slips  of  paper  were 
distributed  marked  with  counties  and  county  towns  of 
Ontario.  This  meant  that  the  county  was  to  look  after 
the  interests  of  its  county  town  during  the  light  repast 
served. 


EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS.  IO3 

A  Flowef  Social. 

Begin  with  a  piano  solo,  something  like  "  The  Wak- 
ing of  the  Spring  Flowers,"  and  a  vocal  solo  or  duet 
also  with  a  floral  title.  A  bright,  appropriate  magazine 
story  may  be  read  in  addition.  Then  furnish  each  one 
present  with  a  card  containing  a  number  and  a  letter. 
Persons  whose  cards  bear  the  same  number  get  together, 
and  by  combining  the  various  letters  in  the  right  order 
find  that  they  spell  the  name  of  a  flower.  Each  group 
is  then  required  to  compose,  by  their  joint  efforts,  a 
poem  upon  their  flower.  A  reward,  such  as  a  fine  bou- 
quet, may  be  awarded  to  the  group  producing  the  best 
poem ;  and  .a  souvenir  of  a  bunch  of  violets  or  other 
flowers  tied  with  the  society's  colors  may  be  presented 
to  each  one  present.  This  social  is  given  nearly  as 
devised  by  the  Lutheran  Christian  Endeavor  Society 
of  Martinsburg,  W.  Va. 

A  Wilkfd  Evening. 
Decorations:  White  cheese-cloth,  festooned  with 
ferns  or  smilax,  white  ribbon,  or  white  crinkled  tissue- 
paper  in  strips  to  represent  ribbon ;  potted  plants,  with 
pots  covered  with  white  tissue-paper ;  and  a  large  picture 
of  Miss  Frances  E.  Willard  on  an  easel  decorated  with 
flowers  and  smilax. 

Roll-call  of  metnbers.     Each   responding   with    quotation 

from  Miss  Willard's  wTitings. 
Singing.       "  How  firm  a  foundation  !  " 
Sketch  of  Miss  Willard.      As  a  Friend.      As  an  Educator. 

As  a  Reformer. 
Singing.     "  The  Old  Oaken  Bucket." 


I04         EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS. 

Address.  The  World's  and  National  Woman's  Christian 
Temperance  Union. —  Her  memorial  more  lasting 
than  wood  and  stone.  A  memorial  of  temperance, 
purity,  and  equality. 

Singing.  "  It's  Coming  Some  Glad  Day."  (In  "  White 
Ribbon  Hymnal.")     All  clasp  hands. 

Refreshments :  Cocoa  and  wafers  tied  with  narrow 
white  ribbon.  E.  A.  B. 

Wheel  Social, 

Wheel-shaped  cards  of  invitation  may  bear  the 
monogram  of  the  society  for  the  hub.  Fasten  a  large 
paper  wheel  to  the  wall  at  one  side  of  the  room,  the 
spokes  each  containing  a  written  question  with  a  num- 
ber. Cards  of  the  same  shape  are  passed,  with  spokes 
left  blank,  but  numbered  to  correspond  with  the  question 
numbers  on  the  large  wheel.  A  contest  in  answering 
the  questions  without  consultation  follows,  each  one 
adding  his  name  to  his  card  of  answers.  When  the 
time  is  up,  collect  or  exchange  the  cards,  and  compare 
the  answers  given  with  the  correct  ones. 

A  miniature  bicycle  may  be  given  to  the  winner,  while 
a  booby  prize  of  a  small  oil-can  will  serve  to  oil  the  rusty 
wheels  of  the  unfortunate  memory. 

As  the  guests  have  been  requested  to  come  on  their 
bicycles  if  convenient,  a  fifteen  or  twenty  minutes' 
"  bicycle  conversation "  may  be  held,  changing  part- 
ners two  or  three  times,  with  the  help  of  sliced  sen- 
tences beginning  with  the  letters  contained  in  the  word 
"  bicycle."  This  gives  an  opportunity  to  discuss  and 
compare  handle-bars,  bells,  bearings,  pedals,  gears,  etc., 
as  well  as  various  bicycle  adventures.     To  this  might 


EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS.  IOC 

be  added  a  musical  selection  or  two,  —  a  chime  of  bicy- 
cle bells  would  be  desirable,  —  and  a  paper  or  talk  on 
the  latest  bicycle  improvements,  with  perhaps  one  appro- 
priate story  or  poem.  If  the  social  is  held  during  April, 
the  following  poem  might  be  recited :  — 

APRIL'S    MISHAP. 

Bonnie  April,  cease  your  pouting, 

I  entreat. 
Cease  this  wavering  and  doubting, 

And  be  sweet. 
Why  indulge  in  frowns  and  tears 
As  in  foolish,  bygone  years  ? 
Till  your  sunny  presence  cheers, 
,        April,  you  are  incomplete ; 

Very  incomplete. 

Drooping  April,  look  above  you, 

I  insist. 
For  of  course  you  know  we  love  you. 

Sunshine-kissed. 
But  —  ah  1  now  the  tears  have  fled  ; 
Lifted  is  the  winsome  head. 
First  we  scold,  then  praise  instead. 
April,  you'd  be  sadly  missed, 

Very  sadly  missed. 

What  is  this,  O  saucy  maiden  ? 

I  declare  I 
Winter's  treasury,  snow-laden. 

Scarce  can  spare 
All  these  feathery  flakes  you  borrow. 
What  new  mischief  on  the  morrow 
Have  you  for  our  joy  or  sorrow? 
April,  tell  us  if  you  dare  I 

Yes,  't  is  plain  you  dare. 


I06         EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS. 

APRIL'S    REPLY. 

Now,  against  this  dire  complaining 

I  protest. 
True,  the  sunshine's  mixed  with  raining, 

Tears  with  jest ; 
But  I've  cause  for  agitation. 
Listen  to  my  explanation. 
I  could  not  resist  temptation, 

As  you  surely  must  have  guessed, 

Had  I  not  confessed. 

Others  on  their  wheels  were  spinning ; 

Why  not  I  ? 
So  I  mounted  and,  beginning, 

Thought  I'd  try. 
March  and  May  on  either  side, 
Laden  well,  when  — ■  woe  betide  ! 
Chanced  we  roughly  to  collide  ; 

And  I  could  but  laugh  and  cry, 

Nor  repress  a  sigh. 

Punctured  tires  and  wheels  half  shattered, — 

And  betwixt, 
Theve  our  weather-parcels,  scattered. 

Lay  transfixed  1 
Think  you  't  is  a  cause  for  wonder 
If  the  sunshine,  snow,  and  thunder, 
By  this  most  unusual  blunder. 

Should  get  just  a  trifle  mixed  T 

Very  slightly  mixed  ? 

At  the  close  of  the  programme,  or  preceding  it,  serve 
refreshments  of  cakes  cut  in  wheel  shape,  and  lemonade- 

L.  M.  H. 


EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS.  I07 

An  Evening  with  ScbiUer. 

In  an  evening  given  by  the  Chautauqua  Literary  and 
Scientific  Circle  of  Troy,  Ala.,  and  described  in  The 
Chatitauquan,  "the  guests  on  entering  the  hall  were 
reminded  of  the  land  of  the  poet's  nativity  by  the 
German  colors,  red,  white,  yellow,  and  black,  artisti- 
cally entwined  in  the  grill-work  overhead.  This  color- 
scheme  was  carried  out  in  the  decorations  of  the  parlors 
and  dining-room,  in  bunting,  ribbons,  flowers,  and  china 
decorations." 

Quotations  from  Schiller  were  given  by  the  circle, 
and  appropriate  poems  and  papers  were  read.  The 
programmes  are  described  as  being  "  veritable  works  of 
art,  the  covers  being  hand-painted  with  the  design,  corn- 
flower, —  Germany's  national  flower.  These  will  be 
kept,  cherished  souvenirs  of  the  occasion."  The  game 
of  "  characteristics  "  followed.  Then  the  supper,  where 
the  dainties  served  and  the  floral  decorations  were  alike 
pleasing ;  and  after  the  supper  coffee  was  served  by  a 
beautiful  "  Gretchen." 

A  Tffo  Social. 

Have  a  reception  committee  of  three,  and  it  would 
be  well  for  each  to  wear  a  costume  of  one  distinctive 
hue,  taking  care  that  the  three  colors  chosen  are  har- 
monious. Place  chairs  in  groups  of  three,  and  have  a 
trio  of  three -minute  conversations.  This  may  be  ar- 
ranged by  passing  triangular  cards,  along  each  edge  of 
which  is  written  a  topic  of  current  or  general  interest, 
and  in  each  corner  a  number.     The  holder  of  the  card 


I08         EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS^ 

is  to  notice  the  number  at  the  left  of  the  written  topic 
announced  by  the  leader  to  be  the  subject  of  the  first 
conversation.  Two  other  persons  have  the  same  num- 
ber, and  the  three  get  together  and  converse  on  the 
topic.  At  the  end  of  the  three  minutes  the  next  topic  is 
taken  in  the  same  way,  then  the  third,  changing  groups 
by  the  card  numbers,  so  as  to  bring  a  different  trio 
together  each  time. 

A  brief  programme  may  be  rendered  consisting  of 
three  readings  or  recitations,  alternating  with  three 
musical  selections,  vocal  or  instrumental,  one  of  which 
may  be  itself  a  trio.  The  latter  part  of  the  evening  may 
be  chiefly  occupied  with  games.  These  should  be  three 
in  number,  and  may  include  one  written  game,  such 
as  "  telegrams  "  or  "  book-reviewing  "  ;  one  guessing  or 
memory  contest ;  and  one  test  of  skill  in  throwing  or 
aiming  at  a  mark. 

Near  the  close  of  the  evening  a  march  may  be  played, 
and  the  company,  arranged  in  threes  by  means  of  sliced 
words  or  dissected  pictures,  may  march,  three  abreast, 
thrice  around  the  parlors  and  into  the  room  where 
refreshments  are  served.  These,  another  trio,  may 
consist  of  fruit,  cake,  and  lemonade.  The  cake  should 
be  in  three  layers,  and  the  fruit  might  be  of  three  kinds 
mixed.  Sliced  bananas,  oranges  cut  in  small  pieces, 
and  strawberries  combine  well,  served  with  sugar,  in 
small  dishes.  The  refreshments  may  be  passed  by 
three  waitresses  dressed  in  Japanese  costume,  to  repre- 
sent the  "  three  little  maids  from  school "  of  Mikado 
fame.  A  good  selection  for  one  of  the  recitations  of 
the  evening  would  be  Will  Carleton's  "  Worried  About 
Katherine."     The  Young  Woman's  Christian  Temper- 


EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS.  IO9 

ance  Union  especially  will  appreciate  its  bright  debate 
on  higher  education  for  girls ;  and  it  may  be  given  by 
three  girls  dressed  appropriately,  or  the  whole  may  be 
recited  by  a  good  elocutionist.  The  selection  is  to 
be  found  in  "  Platform   Pearls." 

If  desired,  a  tableau  might  be  added,  of  three  ragged, 
mischievous-looking  urchins,  announced  as  "  The  Three 
Disgraces.'-  l.  m.  h. 

A  Poppy  Social  j  or,  An  Evening  with  Jack  o*  Dreams. 

Light  should  proceed  entirely  from  candles,  and  the 
decorations  should  be  subdued  in  color,  except  for  a 
vase  or  two  of  brilliant  poppies.  Music  is  in  order 
while  the  guests  are  assembling.  "Jack  o'  Dreams," 
dressed  in  fanciful  costume,  including  a  bright-colored 
cap,  acts  as  master  of  ceremonies,  making  a  brief 
speech  alluding  to  the  connection  between  poppies  and 
dreams,  and  announcing  the  various  exercises.  The 
reading  of  a  dream  story  or  poem  comes  first,  followed 
by  a  piano  selection  which  might  be  a  "  Cradle  Song." 
Recitation,  "  The  Poor  Poet's  Lullaby,"  from  The  Gol- 
den Rule.,  is  next.  If  the  "  Little  Wavelets  "  motion 
song,  suggested  for  the  marine  social,  has  not  been 
given  in  your  community,  introduce  it  here ;  or,  if  it 
has  been,  it  will  bear  repetition  and  will  be  heartily 
welcomed. 

The  game  of  "  rigmarole,"  applied  to  dreams,  can  be 
played  as  follows :  Let  the  first  player  begin  by  telling 
one  of  his  dreams  or  a  portion  of  one.  Stopping  short, 
as  dreams  usually  do,  it  is  taken  up  by  his  neighbor, 
who  proceeds  to  relate  more  dreamland  adventures,  in 


no         EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS. 

turn  passing  it  to  the  next,  etc.  The  dreams  should 
have  at  least  a  thread  of  connection.  Or  the  well-known 
guessing  game,  "  What  is  my  thought  like  ? "  can  be 
used  in  slightly  altered  form,  substituting  "  dream  "  for 
"  thought." 

A  paper  on  "  My  Dream  of  the  Future  "  can  foretell 
the  wonderful  future  achievements  of  the  society.  Re- 
freshments of  thin  slices  of  bread  and  butter,  chocolate 
or  lemonade,  and  cold  sliced  meat,  garnished  with  let- 
tuce leaves,  may  be  served  by  several  young  ladies 
dressed  respectively  in  pink,  blue,  cream,  violet,  etc., 
each  costume  being  a  "  dream  "  of  color  effect,  the  one 
hue  from  head  to  foot.  Close  with  a  "  slumber  song  " 
sung  in  duet  or  trio.  l.  m.  h. 

An  Evening  of  Short  Cuts. 

Invitations  may  be  in  the  shortened  spelling  used 
by  the  American  Philological  Society,  and  the  exercises 
may  include  a  debate  on  the  advantages  and  disadvan- 
tages of  spelling  reform.  A  stereopticon  talk  may  take 
the  guests,  by  a  "  short  cut,"  to  California,  Europe,  the 
Philippines,  Cuba,  the  last  national  Convention,  or  wher- 
ever determined ;  a  dozen  views  being  sufficient,  with 
brief  explanations. 

The  musical  selections  may  include  a  medley;  and  a 
portion  of  them  should  be  "  cut  short,"  stopping  sud- 
denly when  about  three-quarters  through.  Conversation 
is  started  in  small  groups  by  some  simple  device,  but  is 
cut  short  by  the  introduction  of  the  game  "  follow  my 
leader."  Everything  the  leader  says  or  does  must  be 
imitated  exactly  by  the  entire  company,  the  fun  consist- 
ing of  the  rapid  changes  and  sudden  stops  which  the 


EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS.  Ill 

leader  introduces,  and  which  some  of  the  company  will 
be  slow  to  follow.  It  is  curious  to  note  how  much  easier 
it  is  to  begin  many  things  than  to  stop,  even  at  a  given 
signal.  The  laggards  should  be  required,  as  a  penalty, 
to  invent  and  explain  an  entirely  new  "  short  cut  to  fame 
and  fortune."  Let  them  consult  together  and  announce 
the  result  of  their  deliberations. 

The  ga:  le  of  "rigmarole"  may  follow.  Some  one 
begins  to  tell  a  most  thrilling  adventure,  and  stops  short 
at  the  most  exciting  point,  leaving  his  neighbor  to  take 
up  the  thread  of  the  narrative. 

This  may  be  cut  short  by  the  appearance  of  refresh- 
ments, which  condst  appropriately  of  the  tiniest  cups  of 
coffee,  and  sandwiches  cut  an  inch  and  a  quarter  square. 
The  cups  and  plates  may  be  replenished,  however.  The 
paper  napkins  may  have  one  corner  cut  off,  and  near 
the  edge  thus  made  a  motto  or  quotation  may  be  printed, 
or  simply  the  date,  the  name  of  the  society,  and  the 
words,  "  Evening  of  Short  Cuts."  Those  who  desire 
may  retain  these  as  souvenirs.  L.  M.  H. 

An  Arctic  Exploring  Tour. 

One  room  is  arranged  to  resemble  the  deck  or  cabin 
of  a  ship.  Another  room  adjoining,  or  across  the  hall, 
may  be  decorated  with  cotton  snow-banks,  paper  icicles, 
one  or  more  of  the  miniature  "snowstorm"  paper- 
weights to  be  found  in  any  department  store ;  and  in 
the  centre  of  the  room  have  the  north  pole,  suitably 
labelled,  covered  with  silver  paper,  for  ice,  and  decked 
with  snow. 

Guests   should  first  be  ushered   into   the  steamer  or 


112  EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS. 

ship,  where  they  listen  to  a  programme  such  as  this : 
A  magazine  article  on  the  subject  of  Lieutenant  Peary's 
travels ;  a  reading,  descriptive  of  glaciers,  from  Profes- 
sor Winchell's  "  Walks  and  Talks  in  the  Geological 
Field " ;  and  the  "  iceberg "  portion  of  George  Mac- 
donald's  "  At  the  Back  of  the  North  Wind."  A 
description  of  the  Montreal  ice  palace  might  be  added. 

Have  a  conversational  game,  conducted  as  in  the 
Washington's  Birthday  social,  on  such  topics  as 
"  Skating,"  "  Tobogganing,"  "  Is  the  north  pole  made 
of  wood,  aluminum,  or  green  cheese  ?  "  "  Which  would 
you  rather  be,  an  Eskimo  or  an  Aztec,  and  why  ? " 
"  Civilization  as  affected  by  the  question,  '  Who  should 
build  the  fire  in  the  morning  ? '  "  etc. 

Pass  to  each  guest  a  snowball  made  of  cotton,  contain- 
ing a  slip  of  paper  on  which  is  written  a  line  of  winter 
poetry.  The  one  who  holds  a  line  rhyming  with  it  must 
be  found,  thus  arranging  partners  for  refreshments, 
which  are  served  in  the  arctic  region  around  the  north 
pole.  It  may  add  to  the  interest,  if  to  each  snowball  is 
attached  a  string,  the  other  end  of  which  is  fastened  to 
the  north  pole.  In  the  "  exploring  tour  "  necessary  to 
find  partners  the  strings  will  become  somewhat  interlaced, 
but  this  adds  to  the  delightful  intricacies  of  the  situa- 
tion. Close  the  evening  with  music,  and  let  the  guests 
retain  their  conversation  cards  as  souvenirs. 

L.    M.    H, 

Longfellow^s  Dream. 

Although  this  entertainment  may  be  called  literary 
and  artistic  rather  than  social,  yet  it  suggests  conversa- 
tion ;  and  where  it  was  given,  it  was  so  marked  a  sue- 


EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS.  II3 

cess  that  it  was  not  only  repeated  by  request,  but  was 
borrowed  for  a  third  occasion  by  another  society  in  the 
same  town. 

Select  thirty  or  forty  of  Longfellow's  characters  most 
easily  represented  in  costume  and  most  graphically 
described  in  his  poems.  Arrange  a  platform  and  curtains 
for  tableaux  vivants,  and  enlist  a  good  reader,  also  some 
one  who  i  nderstands  artistic  grouping. 

When  the  curtain  is  first  drawn  aside,  it  displays  a 
young  man  representing  Longfellow  in  his  youth,  seated 
in  an  armchair,  in  a  reflective  attitude,  one  hand  sup- 
porting his  head,  and  apparently  lost  in  day-dreams. 
The  reader  then  proceeds  with  the  selected  passages, 
while  the  characters  described  pass  slowly  across  the 
platform  between  Longfellow  and  the  audience.  A 
slight  pause  between  the  readings  may  be  introduced ; 
but  they  should  be  nearly  continuous,  merely  allowing 
each  character  to  make  the  required  journey  before 
beginning  to  describe  the  next. 

When  all  have  passed,  the  curtain  is  drawn,  and 
music  fills  the  interval  while  the  characters  are  being 
grouped  for  the  final  tableau.  This,  when  well  arranged, 
is  very  striking  and  beautiful.  It  represents  Longfellow 
as  an  old  man,  seated  in  the  same  armchair,  with  the 
creations  of  his  fancy  grouped  about  him  and  the  Spirit 
of  Poetry  in  the  act  of  crowning  him  with  a  wreath  of 
laurels.  The  children  are  nearest  the  poet,  playing 
almost  at  his  feet,  while  the  others  are  standing,  grouped 
as  their  various  heights  and  costumes  require  for  the 
best  effect.  The  platform  must  of  course  be  a  large 
one.  Gauze  stretched  across  the  front,  and  a  red  light 
burned  during  the  tableau,  add  to  its  beauty  and  effect; 


114         EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS. 

also  the  singing,  in  chorus  or  as  a  solo,  from  behind  the 
scenes,  of  a  verse  lauding  the  poet  and  speeding  the 
Spirit  of  Poetry  in  her  mission.  Softly  played  instru- 
mental music  may  be  substituted. 

A  few  of  the  many  characters  for  representation  are 
Priscilla,  John  Alden,  Miles  Standish,  Basil  the  black- 
smith, Evangeline,  Brother  Anthony  and  Brother  Timo- 
thy, Mistress  Stavers  in  her  "  furbelows,"  the  Preceptor, 
Almira,  the  "  Princess  of  the  Fairy  Isles,"  the  parson 
who  "lopped  the  wayside  lilies  with  his  cane,"  the 
Spanish  Jew,  the  Student,  Hiawatha,  and  Minnehaha. 

An  Evening  with  the  Trees. 

As  the  guests  arrive,  each  one  is  furnished  with  a 
pressed  leaf,  which  is  pinned  on  as  a  buttonhole  bouquet. 
If  the  season  does  not  permit  fresh  leaves,  drawings  of 
the  various  kinds  of  forest  leaves  might  be  substituted. 
No  one  is  to  tell  what  kind  of  leaf  he  possesses,  but 
each  is  to  write  down  a  list  of  the  different  varieties  he 
observes  decorating  his  neighbors.  When  these  lists 
are  completed  and  collected,  pin  a  slip  of  paper  contain- 
ing the  name  of  some  tree  to  the  back  of  each  person 
present.  In  his  effort  to  discover  what  tree  he  repre- 
sents each  may  ask  his  friends  any  question  concerning 
it  answerable  by  "  Yes  "  or  "  No." 

Following  this  may  be  a  contest  of  verse-writing. 
Allow  a  set  time,  fifteen  minutes,  perhaps,  for  each 
person  to  write  an  original  poem,  taking  for  his  subject 
the  tree  which  he  represents.  Judges  are  then  appointed 
to  select  the  best  poem.  While  they  are  inspecting  and 
deciding,  the  company  may  play  the  game  of  "  trans- 


EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS.  II5 

planting  trees,"  by  arranging  letters  given  in  miscella- 
neous order,  into  their  correct  sequence  to  form  names 
of  trees;  for  instance,  written  upon  the  blackboard  are 
the  letters  y-o-k-r-i-c-h,  which  are  readily  recognized 
when  arranged  as  "  hickory." 

Rewards  may  be  provided  for  the  best  poem,  for  the 
lists  most  nearly  completed,  also  for  the  one  who  first 
discovers  the  name  of  the  tree  pinned  upon  his  back. 
Appropriate  rewards  would  be  some  book  or  poem  on 
nature,  a  choice  specimen  of  fruit,  or  some  pretty  or 
odd  trifle  made  of  a  particular  kind  of  wood. 

Refreshments  may  consist  wholly  of  fruit  and  nuts. 
For  the  description  of  this  social,  we  are  indebted  to 
Miss  Nellie  E.  Wanzer. 


An  Evening  with  The  Christian  Endeavor  "World. 

This  is  based  on  the  description,  furnished  by  Eva 
A.  Denton,  of  "  An  Evening  with  TJie  Golden  Rule.'''' 

The  rooms  are  arranged  to  represent  the  different 
departments  of  The  Christian  Endeavor  World.  One 
corner,  the  advertising  page,  is  draped  in  muslin  and 
covered  with  bright,  selected  advertisements  cut  from 
the  files  of  that  paper. 

In  the  "Workers'  Exchange"  department  or  room,  a 
committee  conference  is  held,  each  officer  receiving 
clippings  on  the  work  of  his  committee,  and  retiring 
with  the  clippings  and  the  committee  to  a  different 
room,  where  he  discusses  plans  and  decides  which  ones 
to  try.  Then  a  meeting  of  all  the  committees  is  held, 
where  the  approved  plans  are  presented  and  noted  down 
by  the  secretary. 


Il6         EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS. 

For  the  "Wide  World  of  Endeavor"  take  the  best 
news  items  from  the  same  file,  and  paste  them  on  a 
specially  prepared  map  of  the  world,  over  the  country 
reported.  This  map,  in  the  instance  described,  was  as 
large  as  the  side  of  the  room,  and  had  little  candles  to 
represent  Christian  Endeavor  societies. 

For  the  Junior  and  prayer-meeting  pages,  hold  brief 
prayer-meetings  on  the  topic  for  the  week,  following  as 
minutely  as  time  will  permit  the  "  Suggestions  for 
Leaders." 

Two  or  three  short  readings  or  recitations  may  be 
given  from  "  The  Treasure  Chamber,"  or  "  Endeavorers 
in  Council." 

The  "  Telephone  Exchange  "  is  a  bright  feature  of 
the  proceedings.  The  keyhole  of  the  door  is  used  as  the 
speaking-tube,  to  which  one  applies  one's  mouth  and 
asks  a  question  relative  to  Christian  Endeavor  work, 
and  receives  an  answer  from  the  president,  who  may 
consult  his  book  as  occasion  requires. 

For  "  Strictly  Business  "  the  secretary  sits  at  a  desk 
with  a  careworn  expression  upon  his  face,  a  pen  stuck 
over  each  ear,  and  his  ink-stained  fingers  holding  another 
pen,  with  which  he  is  writing.  Add  a  brimming  waste- 
basket,  a  pile  of  letters,  answered  and  unanswered,  and 
decorate  the  walls,  desk,  and  chair  with  his  past  medita- 
tions ;  and  the  representation  is  complete. 

At  the  "post-office"  each  guest  applies  for  and  re- 
ceives in  an  envelope  addressed  to  himself  one  of  Dr. 
Clark's  "  Familiar  Letters,"  some  of  the  most  pointed 
ones  being  selected. 

During  the  evening  subscriptions  may  be  taken  for 
The  Christian  Endeavor  World,  and  at  the  close  each 


EIGHTY  PLEASANT  EVENINGS.  I  1/ 

person  is  presented  with  a  copy  of  the  paper,  a  Christian 
Endeavor  calendar  for  one  month,  and  a  "  Golden  Rule 
Proverb."  The  invitations  might  be  sent  on  cards  of  a 
circular  shape,  on  which  a  globe  is  drawn,  bearing  the 
C.  E.  monog'"am. 


Classics  of  the  Quiet  Hour. 

Selections  for  every  day  in  the  montli. 

EDITED    BY 

Francis  E.  Clark,  D.  D, 

Handsomely  printed   and  daintily  bound. 
Price,  2S  cents  each,  postpaid. 


THE  PRESENCE  OF   GOD. 

Selections  from  the  Devotional  Works  of 
Bishop  Jeremy   Taylor. 

LIVING  AND   LOVING. 

Selections  from  the  Devotional  Works  of 
Professor  A.  Tholuck. 

THE  GOLDEN  ALPHABET. 

Selections  from  the  works  of 
Master  John   Tauler. 

THE   KINGDOM    WITHIN. 

Selections  from  "  The  Imitation  of  Christ,"  by 
Thomas  h  Kempis. 

United  Society  of  Christian  Endeavor, 

Boiton  and  Chicago. 


The  Temple  Series. 

Dainty  cloth  bindings.     Illustrated. 
Price,  SJ  cents  each,  postpaid. 

GOLDEN  COUNSELS. 

Dwight  L.  Moody. 
WELL-BUILT. 

Rev.  Theodore  L.  Cuyler,  D.  D. 

HELPS   UPWARD. 

Rev.  Wayland  Hoyt,  D.  D. 
A   FENCE  OF  TRUST.    {Poems.) 

Mary  F.  Butts. 
PLUCK  AND   PURPOSE. 

William  M.  Thayer. 
LITTLE  SERMONS   FOR  ONE. 

Amos  R.  Wells. 

WISE   LIVING. 

Rev.  George  C.  Lorimer,  D.  D. 

THE   INDWELLING  GOD. 

Rev.  Charles  A.  Dickinson,  D.  D. 

TACT. 

Kate  Sanborn. 
YOUTH  AND  AGE. 

Rev.  James  Stalker,  D.  D. 

SUNSHINE.    (POEMS.) 

Mary  D.  Brine. 
MAKING  THE   MOST  OF  ONESELF. 

Rev.  A.  S.  Gumbart,  D.  D. 

ANSWERED! 

Rev.  J.  Wilbur  Chapman,  D.  D., 
Rev.  R.  A.  Torrey,  D.  D.,  Rev. 
C.  H.  Yatman,  Rev.  Edgar  E. 
Davidson,  Thomas  E.  Murphy, 
and  Rev.  A.  C.  Dixon,  D.  D. 


United  Society  of  Christian  Endeavor. 

Boston  and  Chicago. 


BOOKS 

BY 

REV.  FRANQS  E.  CLARK,  D.D, 


PRICE 


The  Presence  of  God $0.25 

Living  and  Loving »25 

The  King'dom  "Within 25 

The  Golden  Alphabet 25 

The  Great  Secret 30 

Young  People^s  Prayer  Meetings 75 

Looking  Out  on  Life 75 

A  Book  for  Young  Women. 

Danger  Signals .75 

A  Book  for  Young  Men. 

Mossback;  Correspondence 1.00 

Some  Christian  Endeavor  Saints        •        .        •        'LOO 
Ways  and  Means 1.25 


Seni  on  receipt  of  price  by 
UNITED  SOCIETY  OF   CHRISTIAN   ENDEAVOR 


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Boston,  Mass. 


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Chicago,  Ills* 


OUR   WORKERS'    LIBRARY. 

Helpful  Books  for  Christian  Worlcers. 


THE  MISSIONARY  MANUAL,.  By  Amos  R.  Wells,  134  pp. 
This  is  the  most  complete  handbook  of  methods  for  missionary 
work  in  young  people's  societies  ever  published.  At  least  half  of 
the  suggestions  are  entirely  new,  while  the  balance  of  the  book  is 
made  up  of  plans  that  have  been  tried  and  approved. 

SOCIAL.  EVENINGS.  By  Amos  R.  Wblls.  This  is  the  most 
widely  used  collection  of  sraraes  and  social  entertainments  ever 
made.  No  social  committee  is  at  all  well  equipped  without  a  copy. 
Invaluable  also  for  indi'idual  use. 

SOCIAL.  TO  SAVE.  By  Amos  R.  Wblls.  A  companion  volume 
to  "  Social  Evenings."  Everything  new  and  fresh.  A  mine  of 
enjoyment  for  the  society  and  home  circle. 

WEAPONS     FOR     TEMPERANCE     WARFARE.        By 

Belle  M.  Brain.  Full  of  ammunition  for  temperance  meetings. 
Hundreds  of  facts,  illustrations,  suggestions,  bright  programmes, 
quotations,  statistics.  Everything  practical  and  to  the  point.  No 
more  dry  temperance  meetings. 

FUEL,  FOR  MISSIONARY  FIRES.  By  Belle  M.  Brain. 
115  pages.  A  beautiful  book,  packed  full  of  practical  plans  for 
missionary  committees.  Everything  tried  and  proved.  It  will 
make  your  missionary  meetings  the  brightest  you  ever  held.  It 
will  rouse  your  society  to  a  burning  interest  in  this  greatest  of  all 
great  endeavors, —  the  world  for  (^hrist. 

PRAYER-MEETING  METHODS.  By  Amos  R.Wells.  This 
book  contains  by  far  the  most  comprehensive  collection  of  prayer- 
meeting  plans  ever  made. 

OUR  UNIONS.  By  Amos  R.  Wells.  The  only  book  ever  pub- 
lished wholly  devoted  to  Christian  Endeavor  unions  of  all 
kinds,  their  officers,  work,  and  conventions.  The  convention  sug- 
gestions alone  are  worth  the  price  of  the  book. 

NEXT  STEPS.  By  Rev.  W.  F.  McCauley.  Here  is  a  book  for 
every  Christian  Endeavor  worker.  It  is  a  storehouse  of  sugges- 
tions. It  deals  not  with  theories,  but  with  practical,  workable 
methods.  Asa  statement  of  Christian  Endeavor  principles  and 
methods,  it  is  unexcelled.  If  you  want  to  help  some  earnest  work- 
ers, make  them  a  present  of  this  book. 

CITIZENS  IN  TRAINING.  By  Amos  R.  Wells.  A  complete 
manual  of  Christian  Citizenship,  written  especially  for  Christian 
Endeavorers  that  desire  to  make  their  country  better.  Tells  just 
what  to  do  and  how  to  do  it.  Twelve  chapters.  Eighty-five  sep- 
arate articles  and  plans 


ONLY  35  CENTS  EACH,  POSTPAID. 


Send  orders  with  remittance  to 

United  Society  of  Christian  Endeavor, 

Tremont  Temple,  I  155  La  Salle  Street, 

Boston,  Mass.  I  Chicago,  111. 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 

Los  Angeles 
This  book  is  DUE  on  the  last  date  stamped  below. 


DEC  1     1951 


REC'D  LD-UP" 

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M  12)989 


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THE  LIBRARY 

UNIVERSITY  OF  r  •  -  -^f>RNlA 
LOS  AKr 


OV  Heath  - 

1471         Eighty  pleas- 

H35e         8»t  evening. 


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